Project Description
New Equipment & Technology
Featured stories about new equipment and technology appear in this issue.
Drench in the orchard
Single-bin drenching with a postharvest fungicide is being tested. Research shows that the sooner a fungicide is applied after harvest, the more effective it is
IFTA Makes Awards to Key People
The International Fruit Tree Association gave awards during the winter conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in early March. Phil Brown, owner of Phil Brown Welding,
Lonnie Alvin Conner, 1925–2010
Pasco, Washington, juice grape grower Lonnie Conner, who devoted much of his life to industry and community affairs, died February 19 after a brief illness.
Charles L. “Charlie” Bennett 1945-2010
Charles L. "Charlie" Bennett, 64, who spent his career working on the rootstock development program at Cornell University in Geneva, New York, died February 24.
IFTA Board Adds New Members
Three new directors were elected to the board of the International Tree Fruit Association during IFTA’s 53rd annual conference in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in early
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Retrofitting an apple packing line
These images are from one apple. The white apples are infrared images. A Yakima, Washington, grower-packer operation wanted to upgrade its optical sorting
It just got out of hand
Phil Brown Welding officially started business in 1964, after some years as an unofficial provider of specialized fruit industry equipment. "My dad was a fruit
Ontario faces challenges to plum pox virus eradication
Symptoms of plum pox virus include chlorotic (yellow) rings on the leaf surface or chlorotic blotches and vein clearing. A concentrated growing area is complicating
Hand-held thinning tool
Much of the research in orchard innovation involves automation and robotics, but not every orchard can accommodate technology like mechanized harvesters and mechanical thinners. That's
Mechanical thinning works
The mechanical string thinner knocked off 15 percent or more dormant buds in this Santina block. Right: The Darwin string thinner. Soft fruit growers in
Chemical thinners are inconsistent
Penn State's Dr. Jim Schupp says that the inconsistent results with chemical thinners led to researcher interest in mechanical thinners. After a decade of searching
Tree planter pays dividends
Yakima Valley Orchards designed and built its own three-row tree planting machine. Yakima Valley Orchards used to plant trees by hand, with workers digging holes
Grove to Receive Extension Award
Dr. Gary Grove, Washington State University plant pathologist, will receive the American Phytopathological Society’s Excellence in Extension Award during the society’s annual meeting in August.
Check soil before planting
The period between removing an orchard and replanting is a good time to correct the soil pH and nutrient levels in the soil. Tim Smith,
The lowdown on drip
Drip irrigation systems are designed to deliver water precisely and uniformly to the crop roots and often results in water savings. Water is applied in
Irrigation options
Plantings at Yakima Valley Orchards are irrigated with drip. Travis Allan checks on a Honeycrisp block planted in 2007 where overhead sprinklers are being installed
Australia testing two new pears
Garry Langford says testers will be licensed to grow trees for five years to produce enough pears for sampling. Two new pear varieties from Australia
Apples from the prairie
Autumn Delight (right photo) and Misty Rose. Three apple cultivars released by the University of Saskatchewan fruit breeding program are being recommended for commercial production
Fruit from the Prairie
The five members of the Romance series of sour cherries, released in 2003, surround Carmine Jewel, which was released in 1999. All are very dark
Last Bite — Legacy of labels from Montana
The Big M Brand is a beautiful example of a rare Montana label; it bears the production date of September 30, 1932, by Traung Label
Apple Matters –USApple launches program
As I travel the country visiting apple growers and apple companies, one question keeps coming up: Who will be the next generation of apple leaders,
Apple Lines–Full access to China needed
China is open to Red Delicious apples from Washington. Whereas Red Delicious can be shipped direct to major markets in China, Gala and Granny Smith
Reduce compaction
Juice grape growers in Washington State have found a way to aerate the soil, relieve soil compaction, and reduce farming costs. An aerator implement that
Good Stuff
Dream tractor? The Mach 4 is an articulated reversible quad-track vehicle for specialized farming. Launched in Italy in 2008 as a “dream tractor,” it is
Chamberlain Leads Growers
Lynne Chamberlain was elected 2010 chair of the board of directors of the Washington Association of Wine Grape Growers. Chamberlain, the first woman to lead