Washington State University Extension announced two WA 38 field days scheduled in September. Registration is required in advance to attend these field days. 

September 17

Friday, Sept. 17, from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., the WSU tree fruit research team will present research and harvest management updates at the WSU Sunrise Orchard in Rock Island and at the Monument Hill Orchard in Quincy. 

Related:

Timing is everything for Cosmic Crisp

Topics include:

—Multileader grafted trees.

—Harvest window for consumer preference.

—Fruit greasiness.

—Research updates on improving fruit set and crop load management.

—Overview of crop management strategies and practices at Monument Hill Orchard.

For more information and a registration link, go to: treefruit.wsu.edu/event/wa-38-field-day-research-harvest-management-updates.

September 22

Wednesday, Sept. 22, from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the WSU Roza Orchard in Prosser, the tree fruit extension team will hold a WA 38 preharvest field day. 

Related:

Ines Hanrahan, executive director of the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission, shows growers an example of the starch scale range in which Cosmic Crisp apples should be harvested during a Washington State University field day held on Monday, Sept. 23 in Sunnyside, Washington. The recommended range is between 2.5, left, and 4.5, right, on the scale. The commission helped develop the new WA 38 (Cosmic Crisp) starch scale and training on the optimum harvest timing is continuing through next week. (TJ Mullinax/Good Fruit Grower) First Cosmic Crisp harvest: Be patient — Video

Topics include:

—Heat stress monitoring and management project.

—Summer pruning, vigor management, rootstocks and green spot.

—New automated irrigation system.

—Leaf removal.

—Maturity variability.

Growers who want to test their WA 38 maturity levels can bring a representative sample of 10 apples from their block.

For more information and a registration link, go to: treefruit.wsu.edu/event/wsu-roza-pre-harvest-wa-38-field-day.

Registered attendees will be notified in advance if capacity limits are put in place or the event is canceled due to COVID-19 restrictions. 

Also scheduled Sept. 22 at the Roza Orchard, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., a Spanish-language field day will teach attendees how to evaluate the starch index in WA 38 and discuss general harvest recommendations. 

For more information on this event, go to: treefruit.wsu.edu/event/dia-de-campo-en-wsu-roza-analisis-de-almidon or contact Jenny Bolivar-Medina by email at j.bolivarmedina@wsu.edu.

—by Jonelle Mejica