Project Description
Labor
Featured stories covering labor appear in this issue.
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Harvesting the light to drive production
Fruit growers have gotten much better at it during the last 40 years.
Potato chips and fine wines
Tim’s famous Northwest snack helped establish this Walla Walla winery.
A-Mazing new technology
Novel spraying system is incorporated into a maze built of rows of apple trees.
Destined for export: Understanding pesticide residue policy
It is a large international regulatory body with inherent inertia.
How much pheromone for codling moth?
Researcher finds codling moths need much less perfume to disrupt their mating.
Four decades of tree fruit discovery
The last 40 years have been fruitful generators of solid fruit tree knowledge.
Opal apple verified as non-GMO
FirstFruits seeks to head off confusion with a GMO apple that might be approved.
Nematode management strategies
Preplant soil fumigation has long been an effective way to control nematodes, but fumigation in the future may be limited, says Dr. Inga Zasada, U.S.
Rosenberger: Crops must be protected as well as bees
Concerns about fungicides and bees.
Is fresh best?
Study shows processed fruits and vegetables can be a good option.
Growers make H-2A work
Washington is the fourth largest employer of H-2A workers in the country after North Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.
Nematode-resistant rootstocks available
Improved rootstocks are available, though more field testing is needed.
New approach needed for nematodes
Avoid white varieties if planting in a site with root knot nematodes.
Labor shortage favors imports
New study says a shortage of labor is hampering expansion of U.S. fruit production.
Michigan growers worry about labor
If nothing gets done to solve immigration issues this year, and, with it, assure a supply of domestic seasonal workers for agriculture, farmers will have
Paying for rest time
Paying a piece-rate equivalent for rest breaks helps keep workers productive and motivated, a labor specialist says.
New clothing material may better protect workers
Study looks at lightweight, Teflon-like material might have potential for protective clothing for pesticide applicators.
Grower focuses on one variety, one market
If fruit doesn’t meet gift grade quality, it may be left on the tree.
Kevin VerSnyder, Young Grower from Lake Leelanau, Michigan
Michagan grower talks about holding down a full-time job while operating his orchard.
Evaluating technology for orchard use
New orchard technologies must be compatible with high production, said grower Jerry Haak.