Project Description
New Equipment & Technology
Featured stories about new equipment and technology appear in this issue.
Harvesting the sweet spots
The red light signals a high-vigor zone, the white light signals a low-vigor zone, and the amber light in the middle alerts the crew to
Tasmania's new niche
Many cherry growers in Tasmania protect their orchards with hail nets and rain covers. The International Dwarf Fruit Tree Association held its 50th annual meeting
Don't hesitate with a hot variety
Sam DiMaria of British Columbia and other IFTA members look at Gala trees in plots at the Grove Research Center in Tasmania. Horticulturist Predo Jotic
Early cropping system
Many growers in Tasmania are using the Kym Green Bush (KGB) training system for cherries, which is a modification of the Spanish Bush. It involves
Real-time feedback
One of the benefits of presizing technology is the ability to provide real-time information to growers regarding fruit quality, says Olympic Fruit Company's Paul Koch.
Sorting technology
This gentle bin filler softly sets fruit in the bin as it rises and lowers to meet the fruit. Paul Koch knew what
Turning traceability into profitability
Recently enacted federal food safety and food security laws have brought increased recordkeeping to most food companies, from producer to shipper to wholesaler. Some companies
Extenday extolled for cherries
Benefits are evident, but questions remain about using reflective materials in cherries.
From pomace to pellets
Fruit drying needs at FruitSmart are fueled by pellets made from byproducts from wine and juice processing. FruitSmart's gasifier shows its flame upon start-up.
AgWeatherNet 2007 and beyond
During the late nineteenth through the late twentieth century, thermometers, rain gauges, hygrothermographs, and barometers were standard hardware used by Washington growers. However, the invention
Wine surplus
The news is generally good for white wine varieties in the global market for the next few years, says an international wine broker representative. However,
Seeking the Holy Grail of wines
Wine industry members have a love-hate relationship with wine ratings—those tasting scores given by critics that can greatly influence wine sales. While some dismiss the
Optimum fruit size is small
Unable to obtain trees on virus-free M.9 rootstocks, Australian orchardists like Howard Hansen have to get by with more vigorous rootstocks and use techniques such
Attention to quality
Jade Wisniewski stacks lugs of Sweetheart cherries in a bin at Howard Hansen's orchard. The planting is covered by a hail net. At Howard Hansen's
Do you know how cold your orchard really is?
In south central Washington, sunny days and clear nights in early spring often mean growers need to protect their crops from potential frost injury. In
Growing Japanese cherries Down Under
Tim Reid's Japanese cherry block is thoroughly protected from birds and rain. Tasmanian orchardist Tim Reid has found a niche selling Japanese cherries
USA pears find new market in Vietnam
Most produce in Vietnam is sold on the wet market; high-end, imported fruit are sold in western-style grocery stores. Vietnam, though still a Communist country,
Nelson industry is consolidating
The number of orchardists in New Zealand's Nelson region has been dropping, as corporate growers take over family farms. Steve Moriarty, general manager for Inglis
New Zealanders adopt dwarfing rootstocks
Good times led to complacency, says Craig Hornblow. In the last few years, New Zealand apple growers have been planting trees on the dwarfing Malling
Cherries a world apart
When Hugh Dendy travels between his cherry orchards, it's a trip to the other side of the world—literally. For the past eight years, Dendy has
Piecework motivates cherry sorters
Cherry sorting is typically an unpopular job. Most people would rather pick, says Hugh Dendy, a Canadian who's growing cherries in New Zealand's Central Otago
UnderstandIng wine scores
Amy Mumma, coordinator and instructor of Central Washington University's World Wine Program, demystified the wine rating game during recent wine industry talks to help make
Last Bite
The Northwest Fruit Exchange was still prominent on this label that featured the smiling Indian boy. The Skookum logo is a familiar graphic on a
Still looking for new varieties
Orchard manager Scott Price worries that restricted varieties, such as Jazz, might split the Tasmanian growers. Calvert Brothers was among the first Tasmanian