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USApple estimate for 2024-25 predicts slightly smaller crop than last year
The U.S. Apple Association made its final prediction of the size of the 2024–25 U.S. apple crop: 260 million 42-pound bushels...
Washington grape growers share successes and challenges at annual field day
The Washington State Grape Society and Washington State University held their annual field day Aug. 7, hosted this year at Figgins Winery in Walla Walla...
Washington apple industry expects a 124-million-box crop
Washington apple growers expect to harvest 124 million boxes of fresh-market apples this fall, returning to a more average crop size after last year’s high of 136 million boxes...
Field day showcases an array of Washington tree fruit research trials underway
From soil health for new plants to postharvest quality analysis, scientists based at Washington State University’s Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center and their colleagues at the U.S. Department of Agriculture lab in Wenatchee have a lot of research going on...
Cloud-powered packing
New tools help fruit packers manage increasing amounts of data.
Michigan’s RidgeFest speakers push apple consumption collaboration
U.S. apple consumption continues to decline, a fact the apple industry can’t afford to ignore...
Relief measures following crop loss will allow British Columbia wineries to import grapes and juice
Following a near-total crop loss for the British Columbia wine industry, the provincial government announced a relief effort that will temporarily allow wineries to import grapes and juice...
Sam Lutz and Cassian Ferlatte, young growers from Rockland, Nova Scotia
family background/ Sam is a sixth-generation farmer who is engaged to Lucia Ellis and is the son of Larry and Janice Lutz. Cassian is a first-generation farmer who is married to Emily Lutz and is the son of Jean-Guy Ferlatte and Bernadette Fernandes.
Smart Orchard field day draws a crowd in Central Washington
About 200 people turned out on July 26 to check out the latest in sensors, robotics and irrigation automation at the Smart Orchard field day near Mattawa, Washington...
BC Tree Fruits announces closure of cooperative
British Columbia’s largest apple packer, BC Tree Fruits Cooperative, told its grower-owners on July 26 that it is closing...
Low-tech device can help measure water stress in orchards — Video
Consider pressure chambers to inform precision irrigation decisions.
Robots reaching beyond harvest — Video
Washington and Oregon university researchers collaborate on orchard robot for many tasks.
Pear psylla IPM efficacy the topic at Washington State University field day
To test how well pear psylla IPM is working for growers in the Wenatchee River Valley area, Washington State University entomologists set up a series of paired orchards to compare pest levels in conventional orchards and in those using integrated pest management strategies...
Giving bad blueberries the boot
USDA funding aids fruit rot management.
Dealing with a replant dilemma
Nova Scotia growers search for fumigant alternatives.
Know your costs to grow
Washington State University produces how-to video for ag enterprise budgets.
Smart Orchard continues testing technology
Trials begin at the third Smart Orchard location in Central Washington.
Stone fruit dominates final IFTA swing through California
The sprawling flatland of California’s southern Central Valley dominates U.S. stone fruit production. And the International Fruit Tree Association tour group saw plenty of it on the final day of the summer study tour through Central California...
Earwig workshops planned for Pacific Northwest apple and pear growers
Who wants a bucket of earwigs? Apple and pear growers might...
Avocados and olives join apples, cherries and pears on IFTA tour
International Fruit Tree Association tour-goers saw plenty of the pears, apples and cherries they’re used to seeing as the group embarked on the first day of the summer tour through Central California, scheduled July 16–18...
Michigan seeks tweaks to produce sweeter blueberries
Michigan State University studies ways to improve flavor and fruit quality of existing varieties.
New president, CarrieAnn Arias, joins Pear Bureau Northwest
Pear Bureau Northwest announced that CarrieAnn Arias took the role as president and CEO of the organization on July 1...
Peach grower finding the sweet spot for profitable production
California canning peach grower tries some fresh sales in a search for the right scale.
Field-fresh peaches fill specialty market demand
Wapato, Washington, farm delicately hand-packs fruit right in the orchard.
Low labor supply keeps Smallwood stone fruit crop small
Labor crunch limits scale of Washington stone fruit grower.
Georgia peach growers back in bigness
Southeast peach crop larger than normal after devastating 2023 loss.
Minnesota apple delivers a mouthwatering munch
New University of Minnesota apple release, Kudos, could be a perfect fit for farm markets and U-picks.
Correa tapped to lead Fresh Pear Committee
The Northwest pear industry has filled one of the leadership positions vacated by the outgoing Kevin Moffitt, longtime president and CEO of Pear Bureau Northwest...
Ely Giroux, a young grower from Chazy, New York
Ely is a fourth-generation farmer in the Champlain Valley and graduated from Cornell University with a degree in agribusiness. He is the son of Barbara and Craig Giroux and farms along with his four siblings.
A vinifera for Virginia
State’s vineyardists partner with USDA to create wine grape breeding program.
Washington State University’s tree fruit research field day Aug. 6
Washington State University's fourth annual tree fruit research field day is scheduled Tuesday, Aug. 6...
Early interest in a new early cherry
Grower thinks his cherry could offer growers an alternative to Chelans, but could a club model help it in the marketplace?
Targeting a triple threat to apple scab
Researchers seek extra layers of scab resistance in apple genome.
Washington Apple Commission announces new president
The Washington Apple Commission announced the hiring of a new president, Michael Schadler, to take the reins of the export-focused organization in September...
Washington grant program to support resilient food supply chain
The Washington State Department of Agriculture announced in a news release it has received federal funding to support the Resilient Food System Infrastructure Program...
Family-centered farming in Central California
California fruit family turns to cidery, direct sales and U-pick to keep fourth generation involved.
Suite Note and a driverless tractor highlight Oregon preharvest cherry tour
The Suite Note variety, a driverless tractor and research updates highlighted the annual preharvest cherry tour June 7 near The Dalles, Oregon...
Apple growers nurturing the niches
Small growers bet on high-value managed varieties.
Northwest cherry growers begin 2024 harvest
Northwest cherry growers report high-quality fruit and good volume as the 2024 harvest begins...
Market prepping for Washington’s next apple — Video
WA 64 winds its way through commercialization.
India Cain, a young grower from Port Orchard, Washington
https://youtu.be/9HgwwfER8ds family background/ India is pursuing a graduate degree in horticulture at Washington State University.
Research to help growers schedule the sustenance
Washington State University researchers look for ways to optimize cherry nutrient timing.
Northwest pear industry votes to increase assessment
Facing declining crop volumes and budget, Northwest pear officials increased annual assessments for the first time in 25 years.
Science targeting tart cherry breeding
Annotated Montmorency genome is the latest step in the search for a new tart cherry.
Productive pruning in older orchards
Growers reinvigorating Nova Scotia apple orchards.
Washington vineyards reduce acres, reuse and recycle
Vine removal and sustainability goals intersect in Washington.
Washington Apple Commission hears health marketing proposal
Should the Washington Apple Commission dip a toe back into the world of domestic marketing by backing a new campaign promoting the health benefits of apples?
Cherry growers and consumers continue reaching for Rainier
It’s increasingly expensive to grow labor-intensive blush cherries, but consumers love them, so growers are looking for efficiencies.
Tree fruit groups receive federal funding to help build export markets
Tree fruit industry groups will receive a share of federal funding to help diversify export markets...
Industry benefits from aggregating insights
Industry veterans discuss the critical importance of cherry crop estimates.