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Thinking ahead about thinning – 2017 IFTA
Precision crop management skills help Michigan growers cut back on expensive hand thinning.
Following the high-density leaders – 2017 IFTA
Michigan’s early adopters of high-density systems share tips for multiple leaders and cropping techniques.
The global fire blight fight
Belgian researchers at pcfruit are examining biocontrols and detection methods for fire blight.
Conference pear challenge
After going all-in with Conference pears, have Belgian growers reached a tipping point?
Disease-seeking drone research
Belgian scientists research using drones, multispectral sensors to detect fire blight in pear orchards.
Tools for counting the crop
Combining low-tech crop load samples with high-tech maps could make vineyards more efficient.
Growers in pursuit of precision agriculture
Researchers and growers in New York aim to push high-density orchards to peak performance.
WSDA seeking participants for vineyard study
The Washington State Department of Agriculture is looking for participants for their vineyard survey.
Sustainable and less sticky solutions for pear psylla
New pear IPM project looks at potential for biocontrols and pest repellents.
Apple maggot quarantine may include potted trees
State officials in Washington are considering adding certain potted plants to the list of commodities
Packers improve, impress with pears
Wenatchee pear packers show Interpera group new technology on their lines.
Customers are willing to pay a premium only on high quality, fresh sliced pears
A premium price Recently, a willingness-to-pay study has shown that consumers are willing to pay
Tarrah Te Velde, a young grower from Cashmere, Washington
family background/Tarrah works with her mother Michelle Te Velde on their family pear
The Endicott Tree: National treasure hedged in by time and development
A historical marker stands above the Endicott Pear Tree, stating the tree was planted
Grape & Wine Issues Caucus set for Nov. 14 in Yakima
Washington Winegrowers and the Washington Wine Institute will hold their Grape & Wine Issues Caucus on Nov. 14 in Yakima.
Perry, cider’s understated cousin, making its own name
Tim Larsen at a perry tree on his family-run Wenatchee orchard with WSU fermentation
The high-tech promise of hands-off
Mechanization researchers have seen quality improvements along with possibilities of cost savings.
X-ray vision to see ice formation inside buds
Using an advanced type of X-ray imaging to examine ice formation inside wild grape buds,
Same grapes, different names – Cynthiana and Norton
Though they have different names, new research from Missouri State University has found that
Cosmic Crisp field day rescheduled
Washington State University has rescheduled its field day for the WA 38 apple, better known as Cosmic Crisp.
USApple 2017 forecast: big drop in Midwest, slight drop in West, slight increase in East
Several growers in the Wapato, Washington, area are beginning to harvest their Buckeye Gala
NAFTA is the talk of USApple Outlook conference
Gala apples ripening before harvest in a Wapato, Washington, orchard on August 24, 2017.
European Union predicts down year for apples
The European Union is estimating a 9.343 million metric ton apple harvest for the 2017-18 growing season, down 21 percent from 2016, according to a press release from Interpoma. The total is equivalent to about 10.3 million U.S. tons, or 1.03 billion 20-pound boxes.
Be aware of shortcomings with Malling 9 rootstock
High summer temperatures and shallow soils can adversely affect canopy development and yield.
Researchers put virus theory to trial in G.935 decline
Pathogen probe
Allan Bros. paces innovation
Longtime Washington fruit company leads the way with development of new technologies, including collaboration on vacuum picker.
Wine Spectator donates $1 million to WSU wine program
The Wine Spectator Scholarship Foundation will donate $1 million to the Washington State University Viticulture & Enology program.
Cherry pesticide residue survey results available
The results of the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission’s seventh annual cherry pesticide residue survey are now available.
A better way to spray
Application tech specialist from Ontario finds crop-adapted spraying reduces pesticide use by an average of 25 percent.
New version of UC Produce Facts app released
UC Davis logo The Postharvest Center at the University of California, Davis has
Steinbach named Michigan Apples dietician
Michigan Apples Logo The Michigan Apple Commission has named Shari Steinbach the official
Sunburn and sunscald: Beware the warning signs – Video
Sunburn and sunscald research underway in sunny Chile could lead to tools that would benefit growers in all arid regions.
Report: European apple forecast down 21 percent
The World Apple and Pear Association is forecasting a 2017 European apple crop that will
Big cherry crop came with surprises
Northwest cherry growers produced a record crop this season, but they’ll be looking for ways in the offseason to improve fruit size and quality next year following complaints that some of the fruit didn’t meet the industry’s usual high standards.
Northwest pear growers announce 2017 fresh market volume estimate
Northwest pear growers anticipate harvesting about the same volume of fresh market pears as last year, but organic production is expected to skyrocket.
Orchard mechanization gains momentum
Growers increasingly find ways to adopt new technologies across all four seasons.
Willett: Taking advantage of technology
The desire to automate segments of the tree fruit industry isn’t new. At its formation,
The ag advocates
Hort Council presses on amid leadership change.
Board mulling lower assessments for Oregon brine cherries
The Oregon Sweet Cherry Commission is considering a proposed administrative rule change to reduce the assessment rate on brine cherries.
Washington apple crop expected to be big, but not a record
Washington apple growers expect a large, but not record, fresh volume for the 2017 harvest, which has begun in some of the earliest locations.
Overcoming the pear plateau: Interpera 2017 – Video
Growers gather to share ideas to increase production, which has been flat for the past 10 years around most of the world.
Tim Akita, a young grower from Dallesport, Washington
Tim is a fourth-generation farmer who works both as a chiropractor in The Dalles, Oregon, and runs the family farm that his great-grandfather, Nobuhei Akita, started in 1931.
The quest for new varieties, cold-hardy rootstock
The Drapeau style orchard system showed the highest financial return during Belgian trials of
Washington wine commission sets research priorities
The Washington State Wine Commission has approved a list of research priorities for the coming year.
New blueberry varieties may stretch season, refresh slowing market
The blues are changing their tune
WSU Transitioning to Organic tour set for Aug. 2, 3
Washington State University and the Next Generation Tree Fruit Network will hold a pair of
Study pushes limits of deficit irrigation
Drastic reductions in irrigation delivered decent results in first year of study, but vines showed accumulated stress in year two.
IFTA Summer Tour wraps up with focus on research, frost
Michigan State University plant pathologist George Sundin points out an obviously infected tree in
Cowgill: Improving rootstocks for peaches
By Win Cowgill: After NC-140 research project’s success, new studies hope to do the same with peaches.