The latest updates, exclusively from goodfruit.com.
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Despite lawsuit, most tree fruit growers subject to new Farmworker Protection Rule
While a judge’s order prompted a pause to the enforcement of new federal farmworker protection regulations for some states last month, growers in tree fruit states including Washington, Oregon, California, Michigan, New York and Pennsylvania must start complying with changes related to H-2A applications at 9 p.m. on Sept. 11...
Washington launches support program for agricultural fuel users
The Washington State Department of Licensing launched its Agriculture Support Program in late August to help eligible industry members impacted by requirements in the Climate Commitment Act...
Washington State University issues WA 64 apple license to INN
Washington State University has finalized a licensing agreement with International New Varieties Network, or INN, to represent the WA 64 apple...
Wine grape smoke task force launches website
The West Coast Smoke Exposure Task Force unveiled a new website this week to give growers, winemakers and other industry representatives resources to contend with exposures to wildfire smoke...
Brett Baker named chair of USApple board of directors
The U.S. Apple Association named Brett Baker the new chair of its board of directors...
USApple estimate for 2024-25 predicts slightly smaller crop than last year
The U.S. Apple Association made its final prediction of the size of the 2024–25 U.S. apple crop: 260 million 42-pound bushels...
Washington grape growers share successes and challenges at annual field day
The Washington State Grape Society and Washington State University held their annual field day Aug. 7, hosted this year at Figgins Winery in Walla Walla...
Washington apple industry expects a 124-million-box crop
Washington apple growers expect to harvest 124 million boxes of fresh-market apples this fall, returning to a more average crop size after last year’s high of 136 million boxes...
Field day showcases an array of Washington tree fruit research trials underway
From soil health for new plants to postharvest quality analysis, scientists based at Washington State University’s Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center and their colleagues at the U.S. Department of Agriculture lab in Wenatchee have a lot of research going on...
Michigan’s RidgeFest speakers push apple consumption collaboration
U.S. apple consumption continues to decline, a fact the apple industry can’t afford to ignore...
Relief measures following crop loss will allow British Columbia wineries to import grapes and juice
Following a near-total crop loss for the British Columbia wine industry, the provincial government announced a relief effort that will temporarily allow wineries to import grapes and juice...
Smart Orchard field day draws a crowd in Central Washington
About 200 people turned out on July 26 to check out the latest in sensors, robotics and irrigation automation at the Smart Orchard field day near Mattawa, Washington...
BC Tree Fruits announces closure of cooperative
British Columbia’s largest apple packer, BC Tree Fruits Cooperative, told its grower-owners on July 26 that it is closing...
WSU irrigation technology field day focuses on fundamentals and how to use new tools
Taking advantage of the influx of irrigation technologies requires that growers go back to basics, too...
Pear psylla IPM efficacy the topic at Washington State University field day
To test how well pear psylla IPM is working for growers in the Wenatchee River Valley area, Washington State University entomologists set up a series of paired orchards to compare pest levels in conventional orchards and in those using integrated pest management strategies...
Stone fruit dominates final IFTA swing through California
The sprawling flatland of California’s southern Central Valley dominates U.S. stone fruit production. And the International Fruit Tree Association tour group saw plenty of it on the final day of the summer study tour through Central California...
Earwig workshops planned for Pacific Northwest apple and pear growers
Who wants a bucket of earwigs? Apple and pear growers might...
Avocados and olives join apples, cherries and pears on IFTA tour
International Fruit Tree Association tour-goers saw plenty of the pears, apples and cherries they’re used to seeing as the group embarked on the first day of the summer tour through Central California, scheduled July 16–18...
Dutch grower group tours Washington orchards to talk technology
Around the globe, growers are looking for new technologies to make fruit production more labor-efficient...
New president, CarrieAnn Arias, joins Pear Bureau Northwest
Pear Bureau Northwest announced that CarrieAnn Arias took the role as president and CEO of the organization on July 1...
Federal judge’s ruling reinstates Washington prevailing wages for H-2A workers
A federal judge has mandated that Washington growers pay H-2A employees prevailing wages while a lawsuit over the process of determining those wages lingers on...
Correa tapped to lead Fresh Pear Committee
The Northwest pear industry has filled one of the leadership positions vacated by the outgoing Kevin Moffitt, longtime president and CEO of Pear Bureau Northwest...
Washington State University’s tree fruit research field day Aug. 6
Washington State University's fourth annual tree fruit research field day is scheduled Tuesday, Aug. 6...
Oregon researchers to host field day in Hood River July 23
Agricultural researchers in Hood River, Oregon, are holding an event to showcase their work and new lab facility...
Washington Apple Commission announces new president
The Washington Apple Commission announced the hiring of a new president, Michael Schadler, to take the reins of the export-focused organization in September...
Field day helps Washington growers learn WA 64 apple’s horticultural traits
Washington State University and Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission researchers discussed WA 64’s horticultural traits at WSU’s Roza research orchard near Prosser on June 13...
Washington grant program to support resilient food supply chain
The Washington State Department of Agriculture announced in a news release it has received federal funding to support the Resilient Food System Infrastructure Program...
Suite Note and a driverless tractor highlight Oregon preharvest cherry tour
The Suite Note variety, a driverless tractor and research updates highlighted the annual preharvest cherry tour June 7 near The Dalles, Oregon...
Northwest cherry growers begin 2024 harvest
Northwest cherry growers report high-quality fruit and good volume as the 2024 harvest begins...
Northwest pear industry votes to increase assessment
Facing declining crop volumes and budget, Northwest pear officials increased annual assessments for the first time in 25 years.
Washington Apple Commission hears health marketing proposal
Should the Washington Apple Commission dip a toe back into the world of domestic marketing by backing a new campaign promoting the health benefits of apples?
Tree fruit groups receive federal funding to help build export markets
Tree fruit industry groups will receive a share of federal funding to help diversify export markets...
Northwest cherry growers optimistic with small crop, good timing
Cherry producers in five Northwest states anticipate a 17-million-box crop with better market timing among the growing regions, and they hope that will lead to a profitable season. That was their message at the annual five-state Northwest Cherry Growers meeting May 15 in Richland, Washington.
Webinar series will cover water, from drought to deluge
Tree fruit industry members are invited to discuss water management with experts in a series of virtual meetings in June...
Oregon State University irrigation specialist highlights technology at Washington State University Spanish-language field day — Video
Irrigation specialist Maria Zamora Re of Oregon State University made her first public presentation specifically to the tree fruit industry on May 8 at a Washington State University field day near Prosser...
New H-2A regulations to take effect June 28
The U.S. Department of Labor has enacted updated H-2A regulations that will affect everything from terminating worker contracts to union access to bus seat belts...
Northwest Cherry Growers estimates a 21-million-box crop for 2024
Northwest Cherry Growers has released its first crop estimate for the 2024 season, expecting 21 million 20-pound box equivalents, or 210,000 tons...
WSU to hold Ravenholt symposium on sustainable wine production May 9–10
Washington State University’s Viticulture and Enology department will host a two-day symposium on sustainable wine production, new technologies and climate resilience...
USApple to host season-end webinar May 14
The U.S. Apple Association will host a webinar May 14 to take a rearview-mirror look at the 2023–24 apple season...
California Cherry Board releases crop estimate
California cherry growers expect to harvest a 10.2-million-box crop with relatively normal timing...
Washington declares drought, junior irrigators prepare for water shortages
On April 16, the state of Washington declared a drought emergency for almost the entire state...
Washington ag moves to strengthen relationship with Vietnam on trade mission
The Washington State Department of Agriculture signed a memorandum of understanding with Vietnam’s agriculture minister to strengthen agricultural trade, development and research between the two regions...
Washington State University launches name contest for WA 64 apple
Washington State University is seeking the public’s help to select a brand name for its latest apple release...
Columbia River Gorge groups push online forms to report unmanaged fruit trees
Industry groups in the Columbia River Gorge region between Washington and Oregon have developed online reporting systems for unmanaged orchards and backyard fruit trees...
Fire blight watch for Washington growers
Washington State University Extension released the following reminder for growers in areas prone to fire blight outbreaks...
Northwest fruit growers can learn how to fix plastic bins at upcoming classes
Plastic industrial bin manufacturer IPL Macro Plastics will hold three free bin repair classes in the Northwest during the first week of April...
Disaster declaration approved for Washington cherry growers
On March 18, the U.S. Department of Agriculture approved Washington’s request for a natural disaster designation due to losses during last year’s cherry crop...
Oregon disaster declaration gives cherry growers access to emergency loans
The U.S. Department of Agriculture approved Oregon’s request for a natural disaster designation after the state’s cherry growers lost an average of 35 percent of their crop...
IFTA to tour California July 16–18
The International Fruit Tree Association has set the dates of its 2024 California summer tour...
NOSB spring meetings and comment period announced
The National Organic Standards Board will hold its annual spring meeting April 29–May 1 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with a virtual option available for those unable to travel...