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Carneval cherry challenge
DNA tests link sport cherry in Washington to variety propagated in Canada.
Nights in shining orchards
Growers contemplate resuming night harvest after 2021’s heat forced their hand.
Thurlby: Fruitful thinking
Northwest cherry growers hope to take advantage of market opportunities in 2022.
Progressive Pennsylvanians
Slaybaugh family’s “orchard facelift” targets modernizing and mechanizing.
Vineyards adopting a flexible philosophy
Labor challenges require new ways of doing business in the vineyard.
Keep the peach in reach
Pedestrian orchards keep labor costs in check for Idaho growers.
A grower’s tale of sucker grafts and drive rows
California’s Jeff Colombini discusses growing techniques, economics.
California growers choosing almonds over apricots
Labor costs for stone fruit production push growers toward nut crops.
Fine-tuning work time
Growers, managers adjust to new reality of overtime.
H-2A rising, still
Use of guest worker program surges amid challenges, cost increases.
Let’s make a meal deal for guest workers
Wisconsin orchard finds efficient way to feed its H-2A workers.
Codling moth control: Back to biology
Pest experts detail scientific foundations to kick off Codling Moth Summit.
Willett: The past and future of codling moth control
Looking back on past success can help the industry meet current pest management challenges.
Wafla hires CEO, communications director
Wafla, a nonprofit farm labor association based in Lacey, Washington, has named Enrique “Rick” Gastelum
Martinez: Help wanted
Labor recruiter provides perspective on H-2A, responsible recruitment and the ag labor shortage.
NCAE to hold heat stress webinar April 28
The National Council of Agricultural Employers will hold a webinar in late April about the
Good to Know: Pay attention to paraquat
Following safety concerns in registration review, restricted-use herbicide now has additional requirements for handlers and applicators.
Lidar technology aims for accurate sprays — Video
Lidar sensor measures canopy density and adjusts spray settings automatically.
The mechanization sweet spot in the vineyard
High-end vineyards look for balance between machine and hand pruning.
Proposed rule could mean cooling complications
Experts uncertain about how the FDA’s proposed ag water quality rule will impact orchardists.
Oregon and Washington spray program workshop April 5; registration deadline March 28
Oregon and Washington grape growers can still register for the “Building Better Spray Programs for
Washington state to survey growers about perceptions of commodity commissions
The Washington State Auditor’s Office is conducting an audit of the effectiveness of the state’s
CMI Orchards announces certification with Equitable Food Initiative
A major Washington grower, CMI Orchards, recently announced that one of its primary growers, McDougall
BYOB: Bring your own bees — Video
Using mason bees requires year-round chores.
USApple launches online game to show the importance of ag labor
The U.S. Apple Association announced in a news release the launch of Apple Quest, an
Big hopes for a very tiny wasp
Washington researchers hope parasitic wasp can help slow the spread of apple maggot.
Okanogan County apple maggot boundaries to remain unchanged in 2022
Apple maggot quarantine boundaries in Okanogan County, Washington, will remain the same this year, while
Spotted wing drosophila resistance: ‘It’s getting worrisome’
Researchers look for ways to thwart SWD resistance.
Airblast from above
Drones present new spraying option for Michigan fruit.
Considering carbon capture credit for tree fruit farms
Economics and scale make carbon markets a hard sell for tree fruit.
Northwest Horticultural Council welcomes new technical communications manager
The Northwest Horticultural Council has hired Dan Langager as its new technical communications manager. For
New York set to lower overtime threshold to 40 hours
On Jan. 28, New York’s Farm Laborers Wage Board decided to lower the state overtime
Washington Growers League labor conference online Feb. 3
The Washington Growers League will hold its 2022 Labor Conference & Annual Meeting online Thursday,
Help wanted for hiring help
Lawyers point out pitfalls and potential liabilities lurking in the complexity of hiring farm labor in Washington in 2022.
H-2A workers must be vaccinated before they arrive
No more vaccinating H-2A employees after they arrive for work in the United States. The
California Association of Winegrape Growers President John Aguirre to step down
John Aguirre The California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) announced in a news release the
Learning to lead
New training program aims to fill gaps in resources available for farm supervisors.
U.S. raises H-2B cap
The U.S. government has raised the cap on H-2B visas, which may free up more
Workers navigate overtime
As growers look to reduce overtime costs under new rules, farmworkers say they are losing income and looking for side jobs.
Apple exports face another ‘tough year’
Lingering trade conflict, port problems, variety shifts slow international shipments.
Motivated for mental health
Washington rural health care access law touches on stress management.
Ask the hard questions
Ag stress management programs aim to prevent farmer suicide.
North Central Washington Tree Fruit Days Jan. 18–20 and Feb. 9
Washington State University Tree Fruit Research and Extension announced the schedule for North Central Washington
Blueberry, cherry pests the talk of Great Lakes EXPO, Day 2
Attendees are back for Day 2 of the 2021 Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and Farm
DeVaney: A new year ahead
After these unprecedented years, the tree fruit industry should take the opportunity to reflect on our successes so far and the opportunities ahead of us.
Washington specialty crop farms eligible for new program with free consulting, deadline Dec. 15
Through Dec. 15, the Washington State Department of Agriculture is accepting applications for a new
AEWR likely to rise again
If federal authorities follow the recent Farm Labor Survey, Adverse Effect Wage Rates will go
Good to Know: Dialing in disease control
Best practices for fungicide stewardship.
Justin Lyon, a young grower from Prosser, Washington
Justin graduated from Columbia Basin College and Washington State University and manages vineyards in the Yakima Valley and Red Mountain AVAs. He’s married to Brianne Holden-Boushey and is the son of Susan and Michael Lyon.
A new image of pest control
Camera traps monitor pests and inform decisions remotely.