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Labor shortage favors imports
New study says a shortage of labor is hampering expansion of U.S. fruit production.
Michigan growers worry about labor
If nothing gets done to solve immigration issues this year, and, with it, assure a
Paying for rest time
Paying a piece-rate equivalent for rest breaks helps keep workers productive and motivated, a labor specialist says.
New clothing material may better protect workers
Study looks at lightweight, Teflon-like material might have potential for protective clothing for pesticide applicators.
Prevention is best strategy
Mites continue to develop resistance to new miticides.
New biofumigant registered
A soil biofumigant developed for both conventional and organic farms offers a new tool in
New herbicide — resistant crops
Both Dow Agrosciences and Monsanto Company expect to have new herbicide-resistant crops and new herbicides
DriftWatch grows
pecialty crops growers, especially those who grow grapes, will have new cause for concern in 2015 when new genetically modified field crops are expected to come to fields near their orchards and vineyards.
Are you the employer of choice?
Three apple producers look to mechanization to help deal with potential labor shortages.
Reducing food safety risks at every opportunity
Research is assessing the food safety risks of tree fruit production practices.
Opal apple verified non-GMO
FirstFruits heads off confusion with a GMO-apple that might be approved.
How to make every drop count
Simple changes made with inexpensive tools can greatly improve spray applications.
Organic apple growers are optimistic
Washington State will run out of organic apples this season.
Selenium is toxic to bees
Entomologists from the University of California, Riverside, have found that selenium can cause delays in development and mortality in honeybees.
Bees are driving pesticide decisions
The desire to protect bees is becoming institutionalized.
How bad things in the environment gang up and kill bees
The synergistic effect of pesticides in hives.
Control leafhoppers to avoid virus
The risk of grapevine redleaf virus makes controlling leafhoppers all the more important.
Bees live in a toxic world
Planting more flowers would help solve honeybee decline.
Bryan Mrachek, Young Grower, March 1, 2014
Bryan Mrachek / grower / Malaga, Washington age / 27 family farm / Lucky
Pruning demonstrations on stopping postharvest disease
Three Northwest industry groups have organized pruning demonstrations on how to stop postharvest diseases spread by infected Manchurian crabapple trees.
New pests threaten IPM
Pest management programs have become softer and more stable over the past few decades, but new invasive pests could change that.
Attract and kill
Michigan researchers have designed a device for oriental fruit moth.
Save money by applying pesticides where it’s needed
Perimeter sprays: Growers can save money applying pesticides only where they’re most needed.
Stinkbug derails IPM
Researchers fine-tune methods to control brown marmorated stinkbug.
Be aware of residues from late sprays
In the future, growers will find pesticide regulations getting tighter, not looser.
EPA proposes pesticide exposure rules
EPA proposes revised safety rules on pesticide exposure to farm workers
Wenatchee’s Cascade Analytical offers cleaning & sanitation workshop March 4-5
Cascade Analytical is offering a two-day workshop March 4-5 for fresh produce packers & fresh-cut
Give feedback on crop insurance
The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Washington State Department of Agriculture will hold listening
Column: Checkbooks in hand
Record fruit prices draw international investors to Pacific Northwest agriculture.
Growers asked to tax themselves
Michigan growers to vote in February on proposed Tree Fruit Commission.
Labor worries
Michigan is at the north end of the migrant stream.
Sustainable organics
Jim Koan wants organic practices to be based on science, not politics.
Guest worker summit planned for labor conference
A half-day summit on how seasonal employers can best use the federal H-2A guest worker
Meet Chris Britton, USApple chair
Securing an adequate workforce is the organization’s number-one priority.
No ban on small cherries
Dr. Desmond O’Rourke speaking in Wenatchee, Wash. (TJ Mullinax/Good Fruit Grower) Washington’s fresh
Taylor: FDA will make food rules more farmer friendly
Growers, you were heard. But what's next?
Feedback wanted on Washington’s consolidation plan
Four Washington tree fruit industry organizations will consolidate next summer, and the question now is
Understanding how the Affordable Care Act affects growers
Ag employers and employees face a mandate to offer and have health insurance.
Good Point: A troubling case
The enforcers of federal law are apparently trying to send a stern message: as a produce farmer,if you send adulterated food to market, you may be charged with a crime.
Northwest seeks food safety answers
The Center for Produce Safety is seeking scientists to address food safety knowledge gaps in the Northwest.
Northwest seeks food safety answers
Debra Carter The states of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho are working with the
Arsenic and fruit juice
Patricia Faison by Richard Lehnert The fruit juice industry is keeping quiet these
Good Point: The EEOC is targeting Pacific Northwest growers
Sarah Wixson Growers should be on alert for claims made by employees to
Looking for common ground
Mike Taylor, U.S. Food and Drug Administration.Photo by Geraldine Warner/Good Fruit Grower More food
Water regulations worry growers
About a hundred growers, irrigation district representatives, and government officials attended an FDA listening
Pesticide residues on apples studied
Visible residues of treated fruit showing control, left, Raynox, center, and Exlipse, right.courtesy Washington
UC Davis hosts produce safety workshop
The University of California, Davis, is offering a workshop on produce safety, November 5-7. The
Forum on immigration reform
The North Central Washington Immigration Reform Roundtable will present a forum on immigration reform at
Deadline approaching for Affordable Care Act
The Washington Farm Labor Association reminds all agricultural employers, regardless of the number of their
New safety program looks for feedback in Pasco
The Opportunities Industrialization Center of Washington announcement. A new program to educate and