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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.
Best practices to banish blind wood — Video
Washington State University’s new “textbook for WA 38” showcases best pruning approaches.
Tech for measuring tart yields
Researchers study yield variability monitors in tart cherries.
Winery startup aims to establish Detroit-grown grapes
Partners starting winery and vineyard in Michigan’s biggest city.
IFTA tour showcases many systems, same goal for cherry growers
International Fruit Tree Association tours Central Washington cherry orchards training to high density.
Northwest cherry growers optimistic with small crop, good timing
Cherry producers in five Northwest states anticipate a 17-million-box crop with better market timing among the growing regions, and they hope that will lead to a profitable season. That was their message at the annual five-state Northwest Cherry Growers meeting May 15 in Richland, Washington.
Thurlby: The power of price
Cherry consumers rank quality and flavor as most important, but cost is a key metric, too.
Peach growers optimize advantages of local loyalty
Regional peach production still powers Midwest retail sales.
Oregon State University irrigation specialist highlights technology at Washington State University Spanish-language field day — Video
Irrigation specialist Maria Zamora Re of Oregon State University made her first public presentation specifically to the tree fruit industry on May 8 at a Washington State University field day near Prosser...
Nonprofit center cultivating innovation with ag workforce
Fruit worker aims to patent picking harness with help of new nonprofit.
Robert Pittman, a young grower from Manson, Washington
Robert is a fourth-generation farmer who studied business and accounting at Central Washington University before returning to the family farm. He is the son of Kathy and Rick Pittman, and his grandfather was Harold Pittman.
Apple growers facing a crisis in rising guest-worker wage rates
Michigan growers struggle to afford H-2A wage increases.
Northwest Cherry Growers estimates a 21-million-box crop for 2024
Northwest Cherry Growers has released its first crop estimate for the 2024 season, expecting 21 million 20-pound box equivalents, or 210,000 tons...
Michigan vineyards moving toward mechanization
Grape growers turn to technology and H-2A to make up for labor shortfalls.
Internship program introduces students to ag careers
Fruit company partners with local school district to launch new approach to internships, with hopes to inspire other ag employers.
High costs and low prices causing double bind for apple growers
New York growers feel squeeze on labor costs.
Baffling borer behavior observed in California pear orchards
West Coast entomologists on lookout for borer attacking fruit, not trees.
Manuel Vargas, a young grower from Jardín, Colombia
Manuel grew up on a coffee farm and graduated with a degree from Universidad de Antioquia in Colombia. He’s the first in his family to grow tree fruit. He is now working for Joe Rasch Orchards, in Sparta, Michigan and is married to Katie (Rasch) Vargas and is the son of Ligia Marin and Gabriel Vargas.
Tech aims to turn burn piles into profits for tree fruit growers
Can new technology help growers get paid for climate-smart practices?
WSU to hold Ravenholt symposium on sustainable wine production May 9–10
Washington State University’s Viticulture and Enology department will host a two-day symposium on sustainable wine production, new technologies and climate resilience...
USApple to host season-end webinar May 14
The U.S. Apple Association will host a webinar May 14 to take a rearview-mirror look at the 2023–24 apple season...
Underground watering spreads across vineyards
Grower agreements help Washington State University professor scale up subsurface irrigation method.
California Cherry Board releases crop estimate
California cherry growers expect to harvest a 10.2-million-box crop with relatively normal timing...
Sustaining success with a soil-first farming system — Video
Regenerative apple grower wants to feed his soil microbes as well as his trees to create a more resilient orchard system.
Ag waste that isn’t waste
New partnership will recycle old trees and dairy waste to foster more climate-friendly farming in Eastern Washington.
Keeping pollen cool during hot weather
Overhead irrigation during blueberry bloom can mitigate extreme heat and protect the crop.
Disaster declarations give Northwest cherry growers access to emergency loans
Washington and Oregon cherry growers are eligible for emergency loans following crop losses in 2023...
New online tool for Northwest grape growers
Grant funds an updated cost-of-production calculator for Washington, Oregon and Idaho grape producers.
Washington ag moves to strengthen relationship with Vietnam on trade mission
The Washington State Department of Agriculture signed a memorandum of understanding with Vietnam’s agriculture minister to strengthen agricultural trade, development and research between the two regions...
Orlando Howe, a young grower from Wenatchee, Washington
Orlando is pursuing a graduate degree in horticulture at Washington State University. He is the son of Alison and Erik Howe; his biological mother is Maria Mendoza.
Scheduling irrigation in sandy soils
Sandy saturation: Michigan State University researchers study high-density irrigation scheduling in sandy soils.
Inversion conditions help inform frost forecasts
Precision frost protection research project looks at inversion events with weather towers and drones to build better models for growers.
The value of variable orchard inputs
New technology helps to make precision nutrient management easier to execute.
Washington State University launches name contest for WA 64 apple
Washington State University is seeking the public’s help to select a brand name for its latest apple release...
X-ray visions for sterile insect technique
Ag tech company pursues new codling moth sterilization method.
Columbia River Gorge groups push online forms to report unmanaged fruit trees
Industry groups in the Columbia River Gorge region between Washington and Oregon have developed online reporting systems for unmanaged orchards and backyard fruit trees...
Fire blight watch for Washington growers
Washington State University Extension released the following reminder for growers in areas prone to fire blight outbreaks...
Apple industry sees constant change in Central Washington
International Fruit Tree Association tours Yakima Valley orchards in transition.
IFTA speakers share insights with the industry
International Fruit Tree Association conference topics include climate challenges and Honeycrisp nutrition.
Research revealing grapevine root relationships
Penn State University scientists find complexity in the interactions between grapevine roots and soil microbes.
Travis and Jacob Pearson, young growers from Woodville, Nova Scotia
The brothers are third-generation farmers in the Annapolis Valley of Central Nova Scotia, Canada. They are the sons of Janette and Timothy Pearson and the grandsons of Janette’s father, Pieter van Oostrum.
Crop load comes first when managing common apple storage disorders
Nutrient plans matter, but crop load is Job 1 for avoiding bitter pit and green spot.
Managing frost threats in the vineyard
Spring freeze protection starts with vineyard site and cultivar selection.
Glowing light at night helps fight fire blight
Anti-microbial UV-C light applications can fight fire blight and other diseases.
Researchers shine a light on fruitlets to guide thinning decisions
North Carolina researchers study another way to predict thinning accuracy.
Dialing in crop load data with machine-learning management
International Fruit Tree Association meeting dives into sensor systems making progress on providing accurate, actionable crop load data.
Precision crop load management based on counting, no cameras required — Video
IFTA panelists share tips for people-powered precision.
The 15-month plan for cherry crop load management
Cherry crop load management takes more than a year.
Better bee activity from hives that thrive
Good blueberry pollination requires strong honey bee hives.