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More evidence for less fertilizer
Washington State University extension specialist suggests dialing back fertilizer in orchards.
New York’s horticulture heroes
Western New York growers optimize yields, quality and color.
Murphy: Measuring risk mitigation
Research in apple orchards shows significant microbial die-off occurs in 10 to 18 hours, confirming that cooling water can be applied the day before harvest.
Get wise about your water
Preharvest water risk assessment regulations take effect for large farms this month and for smaller farms next April.
Witherbee resumes role as executive director of the Washington Apple Education Foundation
The Washington Apple Education Foundation recently welcomed back Jennifer Witherbee as the organization’s executive director...
Controlling crop load with nothing but nets?
How nets can manage organic crop loads.
The power of preaching pruning
A panel of growers at Canadian hort show shares tips for training workers to tailor pruning approaches.
Washington Apple Commission resumes full funding of its USApple dues
The Washington Apple Commission voted to rescind the cap it placed on funding provided to the U.S. Apple Association in 2022 and resume funding the advocacy organization at the same per-bushel rate as the rest of the industry...
Citing funding shortfall, advanced.farm shuts down work on apple harvester
Due to a lack of funding, advanced.farm, developers of an automated apple harvester that was close to commercialization, closed its doors last week and scuttled plans for a 2025 harvest season in Washington...
Columbia Gorge Fruit Growers director fired, admits theft
Columbia Gorge Fruit Growers has fired longtime executive director Mike Doke for allegedly stealing tens of thousands of dollars over multiple years...
Seeking alternatives for chemical thinners
New thinners step in to replace scrutinized carbaryl.
The thinking on cider apple thinning
Managing crop load for hard and sweet cider.
Tristan Dorfling, a young grower from Cape Town, South Africa
Tristan earned a master’s degree in horticulture from Stellenbosch University. He is married to Georgine and is the son of Linda Dorfling and Ralf Ketzer.
Fighting fruit pests from the air
Spray drones show promise controlling pests in grapes and tree fruit.
To tariff or not to tariff? Fruit industry navigating North American export uncertainty
How would a North American tariff war impact Washington apple exports?
Netting for bird control
Protective nets can limit feeding damage in Michigan sweet cherries.
New answers and new questions for codling moth control
WSU research updates and expands codling moth trap guidelines.
Third generation of moths unwelcome
Penn State entomologist shares updates on codling moth complications.
Jessica Foster, a young grower from Mannington, New Jersey
Jessica graduated from Penn State University and earned her master’s degree in soil science at the University of Vermont. She has a twin brother, Josh, a sister, Lindsey, and is the daughter of Terri and Bruce Foster.
Understanding adaptability in different climates
South African trial investigates cultivar performance under varied climate conditions.
Crab apples may hold keys for fire blight resistance
Understanding fire blight resistance in wild North American apples could improve control methods in commercial crops.
IFTA conference covers bitter pit
The third and final day of the International Fruit Tree Association’s 68th annual conference in Rochester, New York, on Feb. 19 covered a lot of topics, including the postharvest disorder bitter pit...
Growers facing a fire blight pathogen predicament
Washington State University researcher finds resistance to fire blight antibiotic kasugamycin.
Paul van Westreenen, a young grower from Echteld, Netherlands
Paul is a fourth-generation farmer working on his 100-year-old family farm located in the Netherlands’ Gelderland province. He is the son of Margriet and Berend Jan van Westreenen and is working with his sister, Martine, on the farm.
IFTA annual meeting starts off with precision crop load
The Precision Apple Cropload Management project is nearing completion, and project leader and Cornell University horticulture professor Terence Robinson is ready to share some results...
UPDATED: Mass layoffs of federal workers will include scientists working for the fruit industry
On Thursday, Feb. 13, the Trump administration began serious cutbacks to the federal workforce, laying off recently hired employees across numerous agencies...
Stub cut considerations
Ideal stub length depends on variety, vigor and other factors.
Bad news bugs
Entomologist shares the latest research on three common apple pests.
South African growers forging their own trials
International Fruit Tree Association visits South African growers putting their trees to the tests.
Fruit growers facing a future climate now
South African growers routinely navigate heat and water stress as they modernize their orchard systems, and growers around the world can learn from them in the face of a changing global climate.
Good to Know: Iconic apples centuries in the making
A tale of two heirloom apples: Aport and Amasya.
Lighting the way to pathogen control in the packing house
Researchers explore use of ultraviolet light on packing lines.
‘Granny’ helps guide apple storage decisions
New computer program rates apple starch sampling, offering warehouses more efficiency and researchers more precision.
Connecting the dots for successful fruit storage
Scientists continue to explore causes of fruit storage outcomes.
Fruit production in sunny South Africa
Solar panels and orchards soak up the South African sunshine, which powers the region’s $1 billion export-focused tree fruit industry.
Taking fungicide application from a drench to a drizzle
A field application of postharvest fungicide using a single pass of water can reduce cross-contamination risks.
Closure of Sage Fruit sales desk triggers shake-up of Washington fruit volumes for 2025
The new year kicked off with some new alignments in the Washington tree fruit industry, following the closure of the Sage Fruit sales desk at the end of 2024...
Cosmic Crisp marks critical mass
WA 38 volume reaches year-round market levels.
US fruit exporters target Mexico
America’s southern neighbor makes an attractive fruit export market.
Ground control for cider apple harvest
Three-year, USDA-funded project aims to show hard-cider apples can be safely picked off the ground.
Isaac Balderas, a young grower from Wenatchee, Washington
family background/ Isaac is second-generation in the fruit industry. He is one of three sons of Silvia Muñiz and Carlos Balderas.
Breaking down “break even” for apple growers
New cost-of-production budgets from WSU show challenges apple growers face for economic stability.
Price pivots for apple producers
Growers seeking greater profits in organic and direct-retail markets.
The SKU view for the apple category
The apple industry navigates a new era as retailers seek to cull the apple category to the top-performing varieties.
Good Point: Clean Plant 101
The key reasons why you need to use certified plants.
Claire Rasch, a young grower from Grand Rapids, Michigan
Claire is a fifth-generation farmer planning to attend Washington State University for an agribusiness degree. She has one sister, Eva, and is the daughter of Sarah and John Rasch.
“Long tail” of large apple crops highlighted in USApple’s harvest wrap-up webinar
While the new year represents a fresh start to many, for the apple industry it’s a continuation of the crop year set in motion at harvest...
Automated apple harvester and in-field sorter advancing in trials
U.S. Department of Agriculture and Michigan State University collaborate on multitasking machine.
Removing leaves and retracting netting both boost apple color
Two methods prove effective in Washington State University study.
Longtime growers share a moment of reckoning on the road to resilience
To go from survival mode to being prepared to prosper on the other side of the present downturn, industry leaders recommend removing the blocks that are bleeding out.