The latest updates, exclusively from goodfruit.com.
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Grape Society
Awards and the search for a soil connection to chlorosis at the final day of the Washington State Grape Society annual meeting.
Annual apple residue report now available
Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission residue study aims to help growers with their spray programs
California moves toward curtailing Lorsban
State’s Department of Pesticides Regulation suggests several temporary measures as they work toward permanent state-wide restrictions.
WA Grape Society annual meeting highlights
Topics include smoke taint and some good news for Concord grape growers
Call for committee nominations
Pear, cherry and apricot growers and handlers can submit committee nominations at industry meetings in December and January.
Rainiers break a record in the 2018 cherry season review
Northwest Cherry Growers releases year-end report on second-largest crop ever.
Doug Gore announces retirement from Ste. Michelle Wine Estates
The Woodinville, Washington-based wine maker also announced the promotions of two vice presidents.
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.
Congress holds fate of new trade deal to replace NAFTA
While agreement calls for no tariffs on apples, pears and cherries between North American nations, Mexico’s separate 20 percent retaliatory tariff on U.S. apples could remain in place.
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.
Money available for U.S. sweet cherry growers hurt by trade disputes
Cherry growers are expected to share in $111.5 million in aid as part of an overall $12 billion package the Trump administration approved to help growers and producers hurt by trade policies.
WAEF honors volunteers for service
Xochitl Velazquez, Steve Clive and Washington Fruit & Produce were honoredfor their service to the foundation’s efforts with educational opportunities and scholarship awards.
Constance Savage named general manager of L’Ecole N° 41
L’Ecole’s current general manager Debbie Frol will retire at the end of the year.
USDA shares details on relief program for apple and pear growers
U.S. apple and pear growers who may be harmed by ongoing international trade disputes will be able to apply for the federal government’s relief package beginning in October.
Entomologist joins WSU’s Extension Center in Wenatchee
Tobin Northfield will work to develop sustainable strategies to contain pests that threaten apple, pear, cherry and other fruit crops.
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.
Stannard named new chair at USApple
She has been in the apple business since 1996 and is owner of New York Apple Sales, Inc., one of the largest marketers of New York state apples.
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.
MSU seeks growers to help study powdery mildew resistance
Grape growers in Michigan are wanted to help with a survey throughout the state to help identify fungicide resistant powdery mildew populations.
Ste. Michelle president and CEO to retire
Ted Baseler, President and CEO of Ste. Michelle Wine Estates, is ending his storied and acclaimed career with the company.
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.
Alan R. Sams hired as new dean for OSU’s ag sciences college
Sams, who worked in prominent agricultural programs at both Texas A&M and Clemson universities, will start work on Oct. 31.
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.
University of Minnesota introduces First Kiss apple
The same apple breeding team that brought Honeycrisp to market is releasing a new cultivar this year.
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.
WTFRC releases results from 2018 cherry pesticide residue study
The Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission conducted its annual study of residues of commonly used pesticides on cherries at harvest.
Mid-Atlantic blueberry growers wanted for survey
The survey takes about 2 to 3 minutes and is available for blueberry growers until Sept. 1.
That’s a wrap: IFTA summer tour concludes
A visit to a high-density Ambrosia and Honeycrisp orchard overlooking the upper stretches of Okanagan Lake brought the International Fruit Tree Association summer tour to a conclusion.
Washington State Wine announces priorities for research program
A new list of priorities developed with input from winemakers and wine grape growers in Washington state will guide the Washington State Wine’s funding recommendations for research in 2019.
Where no cherry has gone before — IFTA BC tour Day 2
Tree fruit growers in British Columbia, Canada, are planting cherries in places where they won’t pick until mid-September.
Insect and disease scouting surveys underway
Here's your chance to participate in insect and disease scouting surveys underway in Washington state.
Woodall joins Michigan Apple Committee as regional manager
The Michigan Apple Committee has hired John Woodall as regional manager covering the northern region of the U.S.
Proposals wanted for National Clean Plant Network projects for 2019
APHIS will accept proposals through Oct. 12 and anticipates awarding a minimum of $5 million in cooperative agreements.
IFTA tours Summerland research center’s genetic diversity
A glimpse of 30,000 apple varieties in various stages of propagation overlooking the shores of Okanagan Lake highlighted the first day of the International Tree Fruit Association summer tour through British Columbia.
Dressel named chairperson of NYAA board
Sarah Dressel of Dressel Farms in New Paltz, New York, has been named chairperson of
Gebbers testifies before U.S. House committee about tariffs
Cass Gebbers, president and CEO of Gebbers Farms in Brewster, Washington, testified before the trade
Washington State Ag Department seeks grower input on top priorities
The Washington State Department of Agriculture’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is asking growers and industry workers to take part in a survey to identify top priorities for the program.
Adams joins Washington Apple Commission’s communications team
The Washington Apple Commission has hired Toni Lynn Adams as a communications outreach coordinator.
Washington Wine Industry Foundation awards $38,000 to students
The scholarships went to a dozen students from Washington State University and Walla Walla Community College who are pursuing careers in the wine industry.
Celebration of Life for Bill Ryan on Aug. 11
A Celebration of Life event for William J. “Bill” Ryan will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. on Aug. 11 at the Yakima Arboretum in Yakima, Washington.
USDA extends labor housing program to growers putting up H-2A workers
The U.S. Department of Agriculture administrates loans and grants designed to employers who build or improve housing for farmworkers, but they had always been restricted to U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
WSU breaks ground on state-of-the-art Plant Sciences Building
Aiming to be recognized as one of the top 25 public research universities by 2030, Washington State University broke ground on June 27 for its Plant Sciences Building, a state-of-the-art research facility.
New statewide IPM coordinator named for Oregon
Katie Murray, of Oregon State University’s Integrated Plant Protection Center, has been appointed statewide integrated pest management coordinator for Oregon, according to a statement from OSU.
Quarantine in New York’s Niagara County for European cherry fruit fly
U.S. officials are taking action to stop the potential spread of an invasive fruit fly that could threaten the cherry crop in New York state.
Goodbye to all that
After five years, my thanks to growers and the staff of this magazine.
Northwest tree fruit delegation heads to D.C. to talk trade
A delegation representing the Northwest tree fruit industry will be meeting with Trump administration officials
Pear Bureau Northwest hires regional marketing manager
Pear Bureau Northwest hires regional marketing manager
