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WSTFA schedules recall ready workshops for late March
The Washington State Tree Fruit Association is sponsoring one-day United Fresh Recall Ready workshops in
California council schedules June MRL workshop
The California Specialty Crops Council will hold its 2016 MRL Harmonization Workshop June 1-2 in
Pear mites developing resistance to chemicals
Growers may be forced to take different steps to control pests as resistance buildup continues.
Washington growers can dispose of unwanted pesticides in May events
The Washington State Department of Agriculture has schedule two events for growers to dispose of
Danger from SWD?
Researchers are concerned that rising spotted wing drosophila numbers could cause problems for sweet cherries.
Seeking better control for codling moth
Researchers are getting a head start on keeping codling moth resistance traits to insecticides in check.
How to use pear growth regulators
Growth regulators can prevent drop and enhance storability of pears if used correctly.
Grape canopy control
Juice grape growers can manage size of vines with pruning, irrigation and maybe some thinning.
Washington Association offers Spanish language training workshops
The Washington State Tree Fruit Association is hosting a series of educational training workshops in
Lawyer asks: can the EEOC be an ally of fruit industry?
Brendan Monahan As a prominent Washington grower agrees to pay a fine, its
H-2A is expensive but essential
McDougall and Sons takes pride in its housing camps.
Learning to fight Listeria
Rick Beecroft, right, of Monson Fruit Company leads food safety scientist Kathleen Glass of
Okanagan seeks USDA approval for non browning GMO “Arctic Fuji”
Canadian grower Okanagan Specialty Fruit is seeking USDA approval for a third non-browning apple, which
Food safety research focuses on packing
Scientists hope to reduce food safety risks in Washington apple packing houses.
Gathering data for food safety
Research will help inform the FDA and producers as the Food Safety Modernization Act is implemented.
Mexico to impose duties on U.S. apples
The Mexican government is imposing provisional duties on most U.S. apple exports, beginning Jan. 7,
Tree Fruit Day in Olympia planned for January 26
Don’t miss out on a one-day opportunity to have your voice heard by Washington lawmakers
Benefits of the TPP
Eliminating tariff rates on tree fruit is a trade policy objective of the Northwest Horticultural Council. TPP furthers this objective.
New focus on grade standards
Hort council aims for industry involvement to help monitor other nations’ quality metrics.
Avoiding heat-related illness
Study finds workers paid piece rate tend to work harder and take fewer breaks, increasing the risk of heat-related illness symptoms.
Funds issued for more farmworker housing in Washington State
The state of Washington today awarded the Washington Growers League $3 million to build a
73rd Annual Cherry Institute opens on Jan. 15 in Yakima
The 73rd annual Cherry Institute begins January 15 at the Yakima Convention Center with an
Wine grape growers invited to meetings on pest management plan
Representatives from Oregon’s wine grape industry are collaborating to create a Pest Management Strategic Plan
Slice and sanitize to slow browning
New products are reported to slow browning and reduce microorganisms on fresh-cut produce.
MSU: How to winterize your sprayer
Michigan State University Extension offers helpful advice on winterizing a sprayer. Here are the tips:
Farm labor workshops start Nov. 16
The Washington Growers League and the law firm of Stokes Lawrence Velikanje Moore and Shore
Process Pear Committee nominations scheduled
Nominations for grower and handler positions on the Processed Pear Committee, which is administered by
EPA moving to revoke tolerances for insecticide chlorpyrifos
The Environmental Protection Agency is seeking comments on a proposal to revoke all tolerances for
UV light controls pathogens
WSU scientists envision UV-C lights being installed on packing lines.
If netting is the future, what color?
WSU researchers study how netting colors prevent Honeycrisp sunburn.
Tariffs on U.S. fruit to much of Asia go away with TPP agreement
Tariffs on fruit shipped to ports in Asia, like Port Klang, in Malaysia, would
Food safety issues challenge industry
Growers and packers are adapting to the new requirements.
Australia’s hort industry sees refugees as possible workers
Voice of Horticulture Australia has announced plans to accept 12,000 refugees from Iraq
Should you pay for travel time?
Travel time is not normally compensable, but there are exceptions.
Webinar scheduled as worker survey heads to Washington growers
The Washington Farm Labor Association is providing a webinar for growers who will be surveyed
Results rise with adjuvants
Bread yeast shows potential for improving pesticide performance.
Hedging to improve quality
A Washington grower-packer foresees multiple benefits from mechanical pruning.
Safe product repels drosophila
Butyl anthranilate also deters egg laying by spotted wing drosophila flies.
Developing tomorrow’s workforce
WSU is working with the tree fruit industry to address its increasing need for qualified employees.
Ecofarm raises food awareness
People want to know where their food comes from and how it’s grown, says Washington grower Jim Baird.
FairWeigh system for fair pay
WSU develops in-the-field weighing system for picking buckets.
Magic water
Electrolyzed water is making waves in storage and packing house sanitation.
Tips to work with rest break ruling
Following the Washington Supreme Court's July 16 ruling on Demetrio v. Sakuma, growers in the
WA Supreme Court: Pay farm workers for rest breaks
The Washington Supreme Court today ruled that piece-rate workers must be paid separately for rest
In The Box: Arctic answers
Write to In The Box 105 S. 18th Street, #217, Yakima, WA 98901 or
Drone ready to work in fruit
FAA approved Yamaha’s remote-controlled copter for agricultural use.
2015 worker housing rules
Source of housing rules information supplied by the Washington Growers League in July, 2015. Summary
Spray guide offers tree row volume spraying tips
The 2015 New Jersey Commercial Tree Fruit Production Guide devotes six pages to the subject
Matching the spray to the tree
As canopy volume has decreased, growers would like to use less pesticide.
Ambrosia restrictions to end
By 2019, Ambrosia will be an open variety in both the United States and Canada. But it won’t do well in all locations, growers are warned.