Project Description
The Big Issue
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Grape industry goes after viruses
Grapevine leafroll disease is easy to diagnose in red varieties, like this Cabernet Sauvignon vine, but more difficult in white varieties where the only symptom
Precise IPM requires good data
This Washington State University weather station in Tonasket is part of the AgWeatherNet service, providing growers with detailed environmental data. courtesy washington state university More
Focusing on tomorrow today
Apple, pear, and walnut growers will have several opportunities this winter to learn how to take advantage of natural enemies in their orchards for controlling
Research spinoffs result in smarter sprayers
The variable output nozzles and adjustable louver, developed for this citrus sprayer as part of a specialty crop research project, should soon be available for
Spraying with sprinklers
On a cold rainy day with apple scab threatening, wouldn’t it be nice to push a button labeled “Fungicide” and let the orchard spray itself?
Pest help at your fingertips
Andy Kahn can use his iPhone to access WSU's Decision Aid System, which automatically uploads weather data from the AgWeatherNet and provides pest predictions and
Good Point–Where has the roadmap led us?
Was the Tree Fruit Technology Roadmap a success or failure? Around ten years ago, this novel research initiative boldly declared that the tree fruit industry
$60-million boost
A mechanical harvester is part of a major research project relating to production and marketing of stem-free sweet cherries. More than $60 million dollars in
Collaborative research
An autonomous vehicle is being developed as part of the project “Comprehensive automation for specialty crops.” The last Farm Bill not only provided an unprecedented
Working with less labor
Availability of labor will determine how quickly orchard automation is adopted, says Denny Hayden. A widespread shortage of workers to harvest Washington State’s 2011 apple
Spray equipment still evolving
The Raven spray controller has brought major improvements to orchard spraying. Courtesy Blueline Equipment A major breakthrough in orchard spray technology in the last decade
In The Box
Left: Northeast McIntosh, Courtesy Jon Clements. Center: October issue cover prompts firestorm of regional pride and competitiveness. Right: McIntosh grown in New Hampshire, courtesy Chuck
Committee to advise on endowments
An industry advisory committee has been formed to work with Washington State University to decide how to spend the money that will be generated by
Reflective cover has marketing benefits
Matt Whiting (right) discusses results of his research with the reflective material Extenday with Oregon State University Extension educator Lynn Long (center) and Steve Agidius.
Cold hardiness
A new cold hardiness tool is available just in time for winter for Washington State grape growers through AgWeatherNet, a statewide databank of weather and
Organic proves productive
Peter Hall explains how the Exosex mating disruption system works. Pheromone lures and pheromone-impregnated powder are placed in dispensers on a 20-meter (66-foot) grid in
Mixed experiences with platforms
Pasco grower Denny Hayden said a platform works well in high-density systems but he’s not ready to throw out his ladders yet. Geraldine Warner When
Ready for mechanization
Qin Zhang explains during a WSU field day how he is working to improve the mechanical cherry harvester developed by USDA researcher Donald Peterson more
$3.1 million for Washington specialty crops
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved funding of $3.1 million for projects to support Washington State’s fruit and vegetable growers. The USDA Specialty
Reflective cover has marketing benefits
Matt Whiting (right) discusses results of his research with the reflective material Extenday with Oregon State University Extension educator Lynn Long (center) and Steve Agidius.
Vineland launches an apple breeding program
Daryl Somers A new apple breeding program was born this year, on the Niagara Peninsula in Ontario, Canada. While operation of the infant program is
Good Stuff
Ty Snyder promoted C & O Nursery of Wenatchee, Washington, has promoted Ty Snyder to the position of orchard manager. Snyder has worked at the
Self-rooted trees cut costs
This is not a story out of a horticultural book of fables. It is a story to ruffle your imagination. While the search goes on
Instant vineyard
These "super big" vines were planted in an Oregon vineyard earlier this year. Neil Hauff Imagine the labor savings if you could plant and establish
Mildew resistance quest continues
Next year, Nnadozie Oraguzie will begin field testing a new generation of mildew-resistant sweet cherry selections as he works to combine disease resistance with high
Krymsk rootstocks show advantages
Lynn Long (left) and grower Dave Meyer discuss pruning strategies in a block of fifth-leaf Chelan trees on the Krymsk 5 rootstock. Geraldine Warner The
Cover crop choice takes time and research
The ladino clover cover crop thrived for the first two years but has begun to decline. Geraldine Warner Apple growers who are experimenting with growing
U.K. growers try to lower residues
Jerry Cross is in charge of entomology and plant pathology at East Malling Research, where trials to minimize residues on fruit were successful. Geraldine Warner
Research station has organic orchard
Joe Nicholson of New York with a Rubinola tree that shows symptoms of sulfur intolerance. Geraldine Warner Britain has only about a dozen serious commercial
Doubleday has broad interests
Oliver Doubleday tosses a Gala apple in the air as he explains that U.K. supermarkets don't want large fruit. Geraldine Warner Dr. Oliver Doubleday, chair
Last Bite — Granny’s legacy
The spur-type Granny Smiths Granspur and Greenspur were discovered at the Calvin Cooper orchard at Brewster, Washington, and patented in 1979 and 1980 respectively. Shown
Jones of Washington
Jack, left, and Greg Jones moved the Jones of Washington winery from Quincy to the J & S Crushing facility in Mattawa in
Nothing average about Jones
The tasting room for Jones of Washington wines has no Mediterranean architecture, marble floor, or exquisite wood for the tasting bar, nor expansive windows
Making wines in a big way
Pinot Grigio grapes are being crushed. White and red grapes are received and crushed in separate areas at J & S Crushing. Melissa Hansen Doing
Markets shrink for upscale pear
Comice is the perfect pear for gift boxes, but the gift business has declined. Courtesy Pear Bureau Northwest Comice is sometimes referred to as the
Reinventing Comice
During the Pear Bureau Northwest’s annual meeting in Portland, Oregon, last summer, its regional managers proposed ideas on how to strengthen demand for Comice pears.
Four leaders better than one
Belgian horticulturist Tom Deckers discusses the pruning strategy for a four-leader system. Many pear-growing systems put too much energy into production of shoots, he said.
Platforms not widely used
A recent survey of Washington State apple growers suggests that orchard platforms are not widely used there. Just over 10 percent of respondents to a
Blossom thin peaches
Katy Lesser Clowney, while working at the Adams County extension office, found the Darwin at a show in Europe and suggested it be tried out.