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North American Blueberry Council hires Houtby as government affairs director
The North American Blueberry Council has selected Alyssa Houtby as its new government affairs director...
Edge effects may boost biocontrol
Oregon research finds wild blackberry brambles show potential as host for spotted wing drosophila parasitoids.
Early decisions aid proper pear pruning
Selecting fresh versus cannery pear blocks in winter allows appropriate pruning.
Hansen: Drones may help improve biocontrol in wine grapes
New research shows drones and attractant have potential to sustainably enhance beneficials in Washington vineyards.
Industry appreciates how Adam loves apples
A blogger with over 300 apple reviews under his belt shares his insights with the industry.
Kai Jenks, a young grower from Royal City, Washington
Kai graduated from Wenatchee Valley College with a degree in horticulture and works at Northwest Wholesale and his family business. He has four siblings and is the son of Heather and Justin Jenks and grandson of John and Mary Jenks.
Harvest handoff for longtime fieldman
Though they come from different generations, fieldmen share a people-first philosophy.
USApple creates environmental position, promotes Liwanag
The U.S. Apple Association has promoted one of its staff members to the newly created position of manager of environmental affairs.
Nurseries now testing the tree supply for X disease
As new research uncovers X disease in cherry and peach planting stock, the nursery industry ramps up testing and protective practices.
A new place for spore traps
Devices help scientists study pathogens, fungicide resistance in Michigan vineyards.
Nominations open for Processed Pear Committee Position 2
Nominations for Position 2 on the Washington/Oregon Processed Pear Committee, currently held by member Dusty
Some find success in O3 field sprays
Ozone approach for disease control in Italy gets results with commercial clients in vineyards.
Fire blight’s reappearing act
New York’s fire blight problems get more complicated.
Honeycrisp storage passport stamped
Cornell researchers refine bitter pit prediction method.
IFTA tour visits modern, resilient Michigan orchards
On Day 2 of the annual conference, IFTA buses visited a few locations on the Fruit Ridge north of Grand Rapids, where most of Michigan’s apples grow.
Pears, persevering in Southern Oregon
Drought and hail create a one-two punch to cut into Southern Oregon’s pear crop, but the region’s leading growers say they aren’t going anywhere.
Tech helps count every drop in a drought
Precision irrigation tools and data help Harry & David navigate a drought.
Devon Griffith, a young grower from Manson, Washington
Devon grew up on a tree fruit farm, graduated from Washington State University with an integrated plant sciences degree and now works in the wine industry. He is married to Lauren Griffith and is the son of Heidi and Earl Griffith.
Thirst management for wine grapes
Oregon State research shows an early-season drink for grapevines boosts yields more than waiting to water.
Why DIY with nursery trees?
Eastern growers see cheaper trees and more management with on-farm nurseries.
More vineyards opt to send in the machines
UC Davis extension specialist shares how California grape growers have made mechanization work.
Longtime Horse Heaven Hills supervisor named Grower of the Year at WineVit
Hipolito Vargas, with 40 years as a supervisor of Champoux Vineyards, was named the Erick Hanson Memorial 2023 Grower of the Year on Feb. 9 at the annual WineVit conference in Kennewick, Washington.
Measuring the reservoir below
Research project looks at soil moisture dynamics in Oregon’s dry-farmed Willamette Valley.
WineVit Day 2: The future is sustainable
The second day of the Washington wine industry’s annual convention hosted panels of industry leaders talking about the future, from replanting on rootstocks to marketing momentum around sustainability.
USApple announces 2023 NextGen Apple Fellowship class
The U.S. Apple Association announced in a news release the 2023 class of its emerging leader program, the NextGen Apple Fellowship.
The chill factor in waking up cherry trees
Research at UC Davis aims to improve dormancy breaking and the chill-portion model, which is less accurate due to climate change.
WineVit kicks off with a Tempranillo tasting
The Washington wine industry gathers in Kennewick this week for WineVit, the annual convention and trade show hosted by the Washington Winegrowers Association.
Sam Godwin takes on chair role at Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission, Jim Doornink steps down after decades
After decades in a leadership role at the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission, board member Jim Doornink is stepping down as chair. He will be replaced by Sam Godwin, a grower from Tonasket, Washington.
Uncovering the Ellepot advantage
Trees propagated in biodegradable paper pots can grow faster than their bareroot brethren.
Get a head start on crop load management
EXPO session discusses precision crop load management.
Pointers for picking a platform
Pennsylvania grower shares his platform picking process.
Branded variety news: Mardi Gras pear makes debut; SugarBee apple program expands
A new pear variety is hitting store shelves in February, marketed under the brand name Mardi Gras by Domex Superfresh Growers of Yakima, Washington.
Hansen: A clear objective for smoke research
Washington State Wine Commission is taking a multipronged approach.
Scharlau: A proactive pathway for problem-solving
Grape industries need collaborative approaches to the challenges they face.
West Michigan Research Station up and running
New Michigan research station seeks to solve regional fruit problems.
Miriah Falce, a young grower from Prosser, Washington
Miriah is the first generation in her family to work in agriculture, graduating from Yakima Valley College’s Vineyard and Winery Technology program. Her parents are Elizabeth and Raymond Falce.
More grape growers going grafting
Growers share the pros and cons of grafting during Washington State Grape Society annual meeting.
Cowiche Growers cooperative celebrates a century
Cowiche Growers, a grower-owned fruit packing cooperative in Washington’s Yakima Valley, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.
Hard cider sales show regional resiliency
Despite growing competition in beverage options, multiple channels are driving hard cider sales.
Plant hormones help prevent bitter pit
PGRs proving to be effective bitter pit management tools.
Italian orchards growing into the multiverse
IFTA Italy tour-goers gawk at multileader planar systems.
A small start for Cosmic Crisp expansion overseas
International WA 38 producers beginning to get WSU variety to market.
More Lone Star grapes supplying Texas wine industry
Texas wine industry growing swiftly.
Where pathogens persist in the packing house
Clemson University food safety study focuses on dry packing-line surfaces.
2023 Cherry Institute hits Yakima
The 80th annual Cherry Institute in Yakima kicked off with a look back at the 2022 crop from B.J. Thurlby, president of the Northwest Cherry Growers, which hosts the event.
Sullivan named 78th Cherry King
Pat Sullivan, who grows cherries along the Columbia River north of Pasco, Washington, was crowned the 2023 Cherry King on Jan. 13 at the annual Cherry Institute in Yakima.
Washington state delegates seek better U.S.-India trade
Washington state’s bipartisan U.S. Congress delegation is asking federal representatives to improve apple trade conditions with India.
Lower exportations for Washington fruit industry
Crop sizes, global upheavals and market fluctuations are forcing exporters to rethink Washington’s apple destinations.
Study links spotted lanternfly and vine decline
Penn State study shows high populations of spotted lanternfly can cause grapevine decline.
Yakima preserving Fruit Row history
Effort underway to denote Yakima, Washington, packing area as a historic place.