Project Description
Soils & Nutrients
Featured stories about soils and nutrients appear in this issue.
Strong cherry crop possible
Fruit Commission expands export efforts
SmartFresh certification starts in fall
AgroFresh, Inc., is introducing a certification program for the 2006 apple season that will enable U.S. shippers who treat fruit with its SmartFresh product to
Washington vineyardists charting new ground
Though there’s not a huge winery demand for Italian varietals, a few wine grape growers and winemakers are finding success with a handful of red
Italian wines are challenging to make
For the few Washington State vintners who are making wine from Italian varietals, passion is the reason they give for taking on the challenges that
Wine grape research needs
The research needs of Washington State’s wine industry are being explored by an industry-wide taskforce, organized by the Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers. “The
Fertigation may be economical
A study of nitrogen and phosphate fertigation in pear trees shows no differences in yield or fruit quality between trees that are fertigated and trees
Adjust crop load to avert chlorosis in Honeycrisp
Chlorosis of leaves on Honeycrisp trees appears to be related to light cropping, Dr. Lailiang Cheng, horticulturist at Cornell University, New York, reported at the
Cherry ground covers
Straw mulch in tree fruit orchard rows may have potential to increase soil organic matter while conserving water and suppressing weeds, a soil scientist says.
Be skeptical of nontraditional products
When salespeople come to call with new products to improve your soil, approach them with a skeptical, but open mind, advises Andy McGuire, a Washington
Do healthier soils produce better fruit?
Oregon State University scientists have embarked on a major soil research project to identify soil management strategies in sweet cherry orchards that will improve overall
Manure can cut fertilizer costs
Using manure to replace nitrogen fertilizers requires a trial-and-error approach, but it can be part of growing healthy crops, an organic apple grower says. Jim
Capturing customers with great-tasting fruit
Catoctin Mountain Orchard sells fruit in quart, quarter peck, half peck, peck, and half bushel containers at its retail market. a peck is about 10
USA cherry synergy
West Coast cherry producers found common ground during an initial meeting to see if growers from the Pacific Northwest and California could collaborate on specific
Cherry World
This is the second in a series of articles compiled by Lynn Long of Oregon State University Extension from research presented at an International Society
Judge orders cancellation of Scarlet trademark
A federal court judge has ruled that A/B Hop Farms and the Brulotte family illegally propagated Scarlet Spur Red Delicious trees in violation of Van
Getting the facts straight about MCP
The U.S. apple industry plans to call on scientists to help dispel reports questioning the safety of MCP (1-methylcyclopropene), a product widely used on apples
Plums to China
California plum growers and shippers are gearing up to ship more than 500,000 boxes of plums to mainland China under a new agreement reached this
Foreman chairs commission
Wenatchee, Washington, attorney Dale Foreman has succeeded George Allan of Yakima as chair of the Washington Apple Commission. Foreman, who has 500 acres of apple,
All you want to know about PACA
Fruit and vegetable growers can learn about the protections that the federal Perishable Agriculture Commodities Act offers them during seminars sponsored by the Washington Growers
Capital View
Every legislative session provides opportunity for making progress on key issues for the tree fruit industry. Each session also provides ample opportunity for setbacks from
Commission ready for season
The Washington State Fruit Commission’s budget for 2006-2007 reflects a 30 percent increase in foreign market program funds and a larger cherry crop. But the
New Zealand program releases new varieties
Sonya, a new apple variety that originated in New Zealand, is being grown in North America under a club system. Otago International LLC, based in
New fresh produce express to East Coast
This fall, Washington and Oregon growers will be able rush their fresh produce from Wallula, Washington, to East Coast markets in about five days via
It pays to leave low-grade fruit unharvested
It’s hard for a grower to leave part of the crop in the orchard, after nurturing the fruit through the whole growing season. And it’s
In My View
When Dad farmed, usually his biggest problem was the weather. He worried about an early freeze on snap beans, or the ground being too wet
Briefs
Artists present farmers in Maryhill Museum exhibit…A special art exhibit depicting farmers has opened at the Maryhill Museum of Art near Goldendale, Washington, and will
Correction
An article entitled “Fibers, flakes and globs” in our March 15 issue contained a typographical error. In the section that quoted Andy Kahn discussing new
People
Washington State Wine industry honors den Hoed…Bill den Hoed has been honored for nearly 20 years of involvement in the Washington wine grape industry. Den
Fruit analysis report card
Calcium needs to be available to apple trees early in the season during the cell-division phase, because that’s when the tree is drawing nutrients from
Are cover crops worth the time and effort?
Cover crops have many benefits in vineyard floor management, but in Washington State, especially east of the Cascade mountain range, they can be challenging to
Choices are extensive when choosing cover crops
Vineyardists have an array of cover crop choices, but the type of cover crop that works best will depend on overall vineyard management goals. Choices