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Thwarting a cherry killer
Early research suggests acclimating trees and sending them into early dormancy may help prevent bacterial canker infections.
IFTA in Michigan, Day One: fruit set was not affected by netting
In western Michigan, the center of the state’s fresh apple industry is located on a
FutureFarm Expo set for August 15-17
The first public demonstration of a virtual reality operated vineyard robot will take place during the FutureFarm Expo on August 15-16 in Pendleton, Oregon.
Lake Ontario Tour shows wide range of New York tree fruit farming
The only consistency on the Lake Ontario Fruit Program tour this summer was the humidity. Otherwise, the five-farm tour organized by Cornell University Cooperative Extension covered a remarkably diverse swath of tree fruit farming in a narrow band along Lake Ontario’s shores: new high density apple plantings and apple orchards far older than this reporter, along with high density peaches, berries, and a brand new cidery.
Scholarships offered for United Fresh Washington Conference
The application period for the 2017 Frieda Rapoport Caplan Family Business Scholarship is now open.
OSU researchers develop field test for crown gall
A woman can find out if she’s pregnant without going to a doctor. Soon, farmers may be able to find out if their fruit trees or grape vines have crown gall disease without going to a laboratory.
Lessons learned from Michigan’s plum pox plight
Michigan research station recovers 10 years after infection requires removal of entire orchards.
Southeastern peach growers eye solutions after freeze
After warm winter, southeastern peach growers lost most of their crop to a spring freeze — now finding ways to adapt has become critical.
Colorado’s canker crisis costing millions
Growers and researchers are working together to figure out how to protect peach trees.
Hansen: Filling void in weed research at WSU
New WSU faculty member puts emphasis on weed management in Washington vineyards.
Craig Harris, a young grower from Moxee, Washington
family background / Craig is a fourth-generation farmer who graduated from Whitworth College.
Mite threatening honeybees in New York
A tiny mite is being blamed for major honeybee losses in New York, threatening the state’s $500 million agriculture industry.
To KGB or not to KGB?
Some cherry growers expand, some scale back on labor-friendly Kym Green Bush systems.
New Canadian pear varieties are fire blight tolerant
Growers hope Cold Snap pears, shown here in an Ontario orchard in 2016, can
Honeycrisp sports race toward red
Premier Honeycrisp ripens as much as two to three weeks before regular Honeycrisp. (Courtesy
Lots of new apples coming to market
The Midwest Apple Improvement Association (MAIA) has been busy with new varieties, including these
EverCrisp off to a good start
EverCrisp, the first commercial release for the Midwestern Apple Improvement Association, sold well last
New estimate points to record NW cherry crop
Now that cherry harvest is in full swing, growers have updated their estimate of the crop size.
Should Cosmic Crisp have a “utility” grade?
Questions remain about color standards for new Washington State University variety.
Cosmic tips to growing WA 38
Stefano Musacchi, Washington State University horticulturist and endowed chair in tree fruit physiology and
Apple industry readies itself for the big thing called Cosmic Crisp
Planting surge of highly hyped Cosmic Crisp is likely to test growers, packers, marketers — and consumers.
Cornell professor wants you to name his new grape
At twice the size of a Concord, a new grape developed in New York is certainly a mouthful. So is its current name: NY98.0228.02.
Northwest cherry harvest begins
The Northwest cherry season has begun with growers picking early varieties like Early Robin, Chelan and Santina, among others, according to Northwest Cherry Growers.
Interpera Congress addresses industry inertia
About 150 people attended the first day of Interpera 2017, this year’s World Pear Congress meeting, Thursday, June 15, 2017, in Wenatchee.
Thinking of changing varieties? These growers have some advice.
Switch decision: Why is this new apple the right variety for me?
Daunting decisions when making the variety switch
Weigh all the factors when deciding when and how to switch varieties.
Limited supply of new NW cherry color cards available
The newly produced Pacific Northwest dark sweet cherry index chart card. (TJ Mullinax/Good Fruit
U.S. congressmen ask for analysis of Polish apples
Two Republican lawmakers from apple producing states have asked for a full pest and disease risk analysis of fruit imported from Poland, a nation that has not previously met U.S. requirements.
Chelan Fresh, Columbia Valley Fruit enter agreement
Six weeks after announcing a merger with another fruit company, Chelan Fresh has entered into
What you learn from 50 million years of apple genetic history
Apple germplasm repository in Geneva, New York, contains enormous collection of genetic diversity that likely holds fruit’s deep secrets.
Ambrosia apple patent opens up
20-year U.S. patent ends on popular club variety.
Oregon Cherry Growers processing business purchased by California cooperative
The processing side of Oregon Cherry Growers, a grower cooperative, has been purchased by Pacific Coast Producers, a California co-op that processes and packages produce for retail and food service.
Northwest wine grape industry to streamline clean plant regulations
Coming clean at the Clean Plant Center Northwest
Foundation awards grant to combat spotted wing drosophila
The Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research, a nonprofit established through bipartisan congressional support in
Rayapati: Risk of virus problems in field-grafted vineyards
The increasing demand for grapevines in the Pacific Northwest has many growers turning to field
Alfredo Reyes, a young grower from Royal City, Washington
family background / Alfredo was born in Mexico and grew up in Wenatchee
Northwest pear growers predict smaller crop
Northwest pear growers are estimating a fresh crop of about 17.6 million boxes for the 2017 season, down 2 percent from last year and down 10 percent from the five-year average.
A Long goodbye for Oregon horticulturalist
Thursday’s preharvest cherry tour, held every year in the Columbia Gorge areas of Washington and Oregon, concluded with a farewell celebration to Lynn Long, the horticulturist who usually leads it.
Same grapes, different names
A long running debate over grapes in Missouri and Arkansas has been put to rest by researchers at Missouri State University.
Fire leads to new way of cherry drying business
High and dry innovation by California cherry family.
Ripe fruit make the best wine, but why it does may surprise you
Getting a handle on hang time
Old World pest, New World wary
European Cherry Fruit Fly found in Ontario is raising questions about potential consequences in U.S.
Michigan research examines retractable roof on cherries
Open and closed research: Michigan State University cherry expert Gregory Lang is trying a retractable roof system over a cherry orchard at MSU’s Clarksville Research Center.
Sweethearts offer better returns than Bings in Washington
WSU economists find a sweeter investment in Sweethearts than Bings when comparing production costs.
Vanguard International buys Pride Packing
The Vanguard International Group of Issaquah, Washington, has purchased Pride Packing Co. of Wapato, Washington, to further its goal of developing a vertically integrated fresh-fruit organization.
Holtzinger Fruit changes name to Fourth Leaf
Holtzinger Fruit Co., the only packer in Washington that works solely with independent growers, has changed its name to Fourth Leaf Fruit Company.
Sugar sours birds on eating valuable cherry crops
Sweet revenge for bird control
Pscheidt: How to rate viruses
With three-dozen different viruses that can be found on cherry trees, which ones do growers need to worry about?
What’s hiding in your orchard?
A survey of cherry viruses in Oregon has turned up none that are new to the Pacific Northwest, which is a good thing. However, at least two new viruses, and possibly a third, have been detected in Oregon for the first time — and two of the three could have a significant impact on cherry production if not controlled.
Thurlby: Looking ahead to the Northwest cherry season
In Washington, we just came through the rainiest March on record, and the view from the window tells me the season has yet to give way to what most of us would call “springtime conditions.”