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Robots reaching beyond harvest — Video
Washington and Oregon university researchers collaborate on orchard robot for many tasks.
Dealing with a replant dilemma
Nova Scotia growers search for fumigant alternatives.
Know your costs to grow
Washington State University produces how-to video for ag enterprise budgets.
Smart Orchard continues testing technology
Trials begin at the third Smart Orchard location in Central Washington.
Earwig workshops planned for Pacific Northwest apple and pear growers
Who wants a bucket of earwigs? Apple and pear growers might...
Avocados and olives join apples, cherries and pears on IFTA tour
International Fruit Tree Association tour-goers saw plenty of the pears, apples and cherries they’re used to seeing as the group embarked on the first day of the summer tour through Central California, scheduled July 16–18...
Minnesota apple delivers a mouthwatering munch
New University of Minnesota apple release, Kudos, could be a perfect fit for farm markets and U-picks.
Ely Giroux, a young grower from Chazy, New York
Ely is a fourth-generation farmer in the Champlain Valley and graduated from Cornell University with a degree in agribusiness. He is the son of Barbara and Craig Giroux and farms along with his four siblings.
Washington State University’s tree fruit research field day Aug. 6
Washington State University's fourth annual tree fruit research field day is scheduled Tuesday, Aug. 6...
Targeting a triple threat to apple scab
Researchers seek extra layers of scab resistance in apple genome.
Washington Apple Commission announces new president
The Washington Apple Commission announced the hiring of a new president, Michael Schadler, to take the reins of the export-focused organization in September...
Washington grant program to support resilient food supply chain
The Washington State Department of Agriculture announced in a news release it has received federal funding to support the Resilient Food System Infrastructure Program...
Family-centered farming in Central California
California fruit family turns to cidery, direct sales and U-pick to keep fourth generation involved.
Apple growers nurturing the niches
Small growers bet on high-value managed varieties.
Market prepping for Washington’s next apple — Video
WA 64 winds its way through commercialization.
India Cain, a young grower from Port Orchard, Washington
https://youtu.be/9HgwwfER8ds family background/ India is pursuing a graduate degree in horticulture at Washington State University.
Productive pruning in older orchards
Growers reinvigorating Nova Scotia apple orchards.
Washington Apple Commission hears health marketing proposal
Should the Washington Apple Commission dip a toe back into the world of domestic marketing by backing a new campaign promoting the health benefits of apples?
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...
Best practices to banish blind wood — Video
Washington State University’s new “textbook for WA 38” showcases best pruning approaches.
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...
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.
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.
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?
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...
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Kurrle: Taking the cause to Capitol Hill — Video
The apple industry heads to Washington, D.C., to talk trade, Farm Bill and ag labor.
Patrick and Haley Colbert, young growers from Tonasket, Washington
Spouses Haley and Patrick are both third-generation apple and pear growers who each graduated from Washington State University: Haley with a degree in accounting and Patrick with a degree in agricultural technology management. Haley’s parents are Belinda and Gary Grillo and Patrick’s are Rhonda and Raymond Colbert.
IFTA to tour California July 16–18
The International Fruit Tree Association has set the dates of its 2024 California summer tour...
Worrying wounds on Northeast apple trees
Northeast growers grapple with mysterious tree damage on exposed rootstocks.