The latest updates, exclusively from goodfruit.com.
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Tropical storm Fiona spares Nova Scotia apples
Nova Scotia apple farmers were feeling “cautious relief” after post-tropical storm Fiona tore through Atlantic Canada Sept. 23–24 and are continuing to harvest what is still expected to be a fairly good crop.
Change trellis system to protect grapes from heat, California study concludes
A six-year University of California, Davis, study indicates that changing vineyard training and trellis systems
2023 WAEF scholarship applications now open
The Washington Apple Education Foundation is now accepting applications for its 2023 scholarship program.
Cosmic Crisp field day focuses on horticulture research and commercial experience
Washington growers expect to wait at least another month to begin harvesting WA 38, according to growers who opened their orchards to a preharvest tour organized by Washington State University on Sept. 15.
Organic materials comment period open through Sept. 29
The Northwest Horticultural Council is encouraging growers to provide comments on the organic materials under review at the annual fall meeting of the National Organic Standards Board.
Ste. Michelle Wine Estates acquires A to Z Wineworks
Ste. Michelle Wine Estates announced in a news release the company has acquired A to Z Wineworks, based in Newberg, Oregon, along with the Rex Hill brand.
Northwest fresh pear industry announces 2022 crop estimate and promotions
With harvest underway, Pear Bureau Northwest announced the first official estimate of the 2022–23 fresh pear crop for Washington and Oregon.
Washington receives $4.7 million in Specialty Crop Block Grant funds
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded Washington state $4.7 million to support specialty crop
NCAE webinar to help employers prepare for proposed OSHA heat regulation
The National Council of Agricultural Employers announced the next event in its series of educational
Invasive giant hornet officially named
The Entomological Society of America announced it has adopted “northern giant hornet” for the species
Honey Bee Health Coalition releases updated varroa mite management guide
The Honey Bee Health Coalition has released a new edition of “Tools for Varroa Management.”
USApple Outlook conference covers estimates and economics for 2022 crop
Day 1 of the U.S. Apple Association’s Outlook 2022 is a wrap.
Washington growers forecast smaller apple crop
Washington apple growers estimate a crop of 108.7 million 40-pound box equivalents, down 11 percent
Spotted lanternfly finding confirmed in Michigan
For the first time, spotted lanternfly has been detected in Michigan.
Grape field day focuses on WSU research into new ways to spray
The Washington State Grape Society and Washington State University hosted a field day Aug. 11 focused on WSU’s vineyard technology research, especially in the arena of spray technology.
Webinar to discuss research on consumer preferences for pears
Pear Bureau Northwest announced in a news release a webinar scheduled Aug. 16 at 10
Annual New York fruit tour highlights precision crop load management
Precision crop load management and the computer vision technology that is gradually improving its accuracy was a major topic during the Cornell Cooperative Extension Lake Ontario Fruit Program’s annual summer fruit tour held in Orleans County, New York, on Aug. 9.
Central Washington orchardist to sell after H-2A debarment
A Central Washington apple, cherry and pear grower debarred by the federal government from hiring temporary foreign workers is choosing to sell his family’s farm, even though he denies wrongdoing.
Growers get glimpse of latest MSU research at Ridgefest field day
Michigan Pomesters held its 11th annual Ridgefest field day July 28, touring research trials at Michigan State University’s Clarksville Research Center in Clarksville.
Newly created V&E department at WSU to welcome first chair, viticulture professor Jean Dodson Peterson
This fall, the new Washington State University Department of Viticulture and Enology will welcome its
Heat stress one of the hot topics at Smart Orchard field day
A hearty group of about 50 growers, industry professionals and researchers gathered under the hot sun — and in the shade, where they could find it — in Grandview, Washington, for a Smart Orchard field day held July 26 in English and July 27 in Spanish.
California Association of Winegrape Growers announces Natalie Collins as interim president
Natalie Collins The California Association of Winegrape Growers announced in a news release the appointment
IFTA Day 3 — Pears and cherries
On Day 3 of the International Fruit Tree Association Summer Study Tour, the group split up. One bus for pear orchards, the other for cherries.
Honeycrisp and vigor management highlight IFTA Day 2
The second day of the International Fruit Tree Association’s 2022 summer tour centered in Quincy, Washington, where orchards, potatoes and other row crops grow in deep, productive soil.
IFTA arrives in Washington to check out cherries, Cosmic Crisp and crop load camera technology
Growers from across the U.S. — and even a few from beyond — arrived in Central Washington this week for a tour organized by the International Fruit Tree Association.
WSU Smart Orchard field days in English and Spanish
The Washington State University tree fruit extension team is offering two Smart Orchard field days in English and Spanish.
Mount Adams Fruit purchases part of former Stadelman Fruit
Mount Adams Fruit of Bingen, Washington, has agreed to purchase the majority of Stadelman Fruit Co.’s Oregon operations.
MSU to hold CA storage clinic in August
The 2022 Michigan State University Controlled Atmosphere Storage Clinic will be held Aug. 10 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
CAWG Foundation awards student scholarships
The California Association of Winegrape Growers Foundation has awarded $31,000 in college scholarships to seven students with a parent or legal guardian employed by a California wine grape grower.
It’s true: Northwest cherries really are bigger
Everyone knows size matters in fruit, and this year, cherries really are bigger. Northwest Cherry Growers has the measurements to prove it.
NCAE to host webinar on farmworker tax issues
The National Council of Agricultural Employers will host a webinar focusing on farmworker tax issues.
Ste. Michelle moves white winemaking to Eastern Washington
Washington’s largest winery is consolidating its production. Chateau Ste. Michelle has decided to move its
Cornell announces 2022 Lake Ontario Fruit tour Aug. 9
Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Lake Ontario Fruit Summer Tour 2022 will be held Aug. 9 in
Pear Bureau Northwest Promotes Bob Catinella to director of merchandising
Pear Bureau Northwest announced in a news release the promotion of Bob Catinella to director
WSTFA annual golf tournament Aug. 30 in East Wenatchee
The Washington State Tree Fruit Association will host the organization’s 29th annual scholarship golf tournament
Strong demand and limited supply continue for California prunes
The California Prune Board’s executive committee is estimating 75,000 short tons (68,000 metric tons) in
WAEF apple art contest winner announced
The Washington Apple Education Foundation announced Chelan High School junior Macie Cowan was named the
Washington Apple Education Foundation awards 2022 scholarships
The Washington Apple Education Foundation announced in a news release the organization has awarded 318
New conference studies Michigan wine from dirt to glass
Michigan State University Extension is hosting a new conference for the Michigan grape and wine
Eric Mussen: 1944–2022
Honey bee authority Eric Carnes Mussen, an internationally known California Cooperative Extension apiculturist and member
UC Davis to build new greenhouse to protect U.S. grapevine collection
The University of California, Davis, announced plans to build a new greenhouse to safeguard an
Cody Copp joins Oregon State University Extension Service
Cody Copp Oregon State University announced in a news release the hiring of Cody Copp
Expecting a short crop at about 110 million boxes, Washington Apple Commission tightens budget
Apple industry leaders from across Washington predict a short crop this year, with estimates ranging
Oregon heat, smoke rules to take effect soon
Oregon workplace regulators have enacted permanent rules to protect laborers from excessive heat and wildfire
Washington further loosens COVID housing restrictions
Washington authorities have pulled back many of the temporary farm labor housing restrictions designed to
Blueberry councils hire Joe Vargas as director of business intelligence
Joe Vargas has been hired as the director of business intelligence for the U.S. Highbush
USDA announces disaster relief funds available for 2020 and 2021 losses
On May 16, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the availability of approximately $6 billion
Growers reduce Northwest cherry crop estimate at five-state meeting
Northwest sweet cherry growers are predicting a 2022 crop of 13.6 million 20-pound box equivalents,
Pear industry to gather in Portland on June 1 and 2
The Pear Bureau Northwest is inviting pear growers to its 90th annual meeting, which will
Northwest Cherry Growers releases first crop estimate
Editor's note: This story has been updated to the correct 2021 volume shipped. After mid-April