Ross Courtney is an associate editor for Good Fruit Grower, writing articles and taking photos for the print magazine and website. He holds a bachelor’s degree from Pacific Lutheran University.
Courtney worked as a writer, photographer and video producer for the Yakima Herald-Republic starting in 2000, covering agriculture, education and local government. He was the author of the Herald-Republic‘s popular Crop Lines blog.
Earlier in his career, he worked as a communications specialist for a Pasco, Washington, company representing agricultural groups. Before that, he covered sports for the Tri-City Herald.
Courtney joined the magazine in 2015. He lives in Prosser with his family.
Follow the author — Contact: 509-930-8798 or Email
My Recent Articles
Grape Society
Awards and the search for a soil connection to chlorosis at the final day of the Washington State Grape Society annual meeting.
California moves toward curtailing Lorsban
State’s Department of Pesticides Regulation suggests several temporary measures as they work toward permanent state-wide restrictions.
Switching to organic in the vineyard
Welch’s grower shares costs and benefits involved with transitioning.
IFTA B.C. tour: Crafty choices
How British Columbia’s apple industry looks to add value through cider.
Fire blight control featured at 2018 WSTFA Annual Meeting
Growers to gather for December’s annual conference in Yakima, Washington.
Rainiers break a record in the 2018 cherry season review
Northwest Cherry Growers releases year-end report on second-largest crop ever.
Lessons in doing the impossible
Sunnyside vineyard’s conversion to drip irrigation and mechanical pruning lead to lessons at Viticulture Day.
Is apple clearwing moth on the move?
After infesting orchards in British Columbia, there are indications this pest may have already reached Washington state.
Himalayan aspirations
Growers, government and World Bank investment drive modernization in India’s apple orchards.
After Ambrosia: ‘Where do we go from here?’
B.C. apple growers looking for next variety after years of Ambrosia reliance.
Washington growers lower their 2018 apple crop expectations
Washington growers confirm their suspicions of a lighter-than-expected crop with a revised smaller 2018 forecast.
Variety Watch: An apple so nice, they named it twice
Growers, inventors are hoping markets Rave about First Kiss.
2018 apple harvest by the numbers
Industry looks into crystal ball for 2018 forecast around the globe.
WSU, Australian university team up for new robotics collaboration
Scientists from Washington State University and an Australian technological university have partnered to form a joint center to speed the advancement of automation in agriculture.
New regulations over wine wastewater
Reactions are mixed over new rule requiring many Washington state wineries to obtain a permit.
Cool cherry covers
British Columbia growers using Mylar covers to help protect freshly picked cherries.
IFTA B.C. tour: Some promising previews
Summerland shows off a few of its up and coming cherry varieties at IFTA.
IFTA B.C. tour: Light vision
Researcher gauging use of spectrometer to aid in harvest decisions.
IFTA B.C. tour: Lessons from Lake Country
IFTA tour hosts share tips on growing cherries.
New price for processed pears: $353 per ton
The new price is lower than the $360 per ton paid last year due to lower prices from the food service sector and the U.S. Department of Agriculture and an influx of Chinese canned pears sold at lower than the cost of U.S. production.
IFTA B.C. tour: Land of late and lucrative cherries – Video
British Columbia growers double down to hit the late-season market.
Tree fruit added to U.S. relief program for food impacted by trade disputes
The Food Purchase and Distribution Program will buy up to $1.2 billion in food products “unfairly targeted by unjustified retaliation.”
New U.S. apple crop estimate revised downward
256.2 million bushel crop prediction on Day 2 of US Apple Outlook meeting is 6 percent lower than USDA's estimate from two weeks ago, largely based on changes in Washington's crop.
Gala on pace to topple Red Delicious’ reign
Day 1 at the 2018 US Apple Outlook: U.S. growers expect Red Delicious to yield its place as the leading variety by volume for the first time in more than 50 years.
A high-tech ball for berries
Berry Impact Recording Device rides along for harvest, packing.
New leader for Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission
The Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission has named Ines Hanrahan as its executive director, replacing retiring manager Mike Willett.
Rough times for Reds
Once the most popular apple, Red Delicious is having a down year in the statistics game.
Shaking it up in the orchard: Video
WSU continues work on tiered shake-and-catch harvester.
Northwest pear crop on track to be fourth-largest ever
Now at 20.2 million boxes, crop estimate tops an early season prediction made in late June.
Washington apple forecast: 131 million boxes
Washington apple growers expect to harvest 131 million boxes of apples this year, down slightly from last year’s haul.