Project Description

The Optimal Orchard

Featured stories about the optimal orchard appear in this issue.

Apple research surges in China

January 15th, 2008|0 Comments

As global apple industry competition intensifies, apple-producing countries often seek to boost their competitiveness. One way to improve performance is through new growing strategies and

First Bite

January 15th, 2008|0 Comments

Janet Turner, technician at Oregon State University's Mid-Columbia Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Hood River, explains a Competitive Orchard Systems trial for pears. There

Good Point

January 15th, 2008|0 Comments

In the December issue of Good Fruit Grower, Washington State University announced an upcoming fruit school on Competitive Orchard Systems (COS). During the annual meeting

Sensing good fruit

January 15th, 2008|0 Comments

Dr. Renfu Lu is using multispectral-based prototype sorting equipment to determine internal apple quality. There's new interest in technology for specialty crops, thanks in part

MCP works at lower rates

January 15th, 2008|0 Comments

Some cold storage operators could lower MCP concentrations, reducing costs without losing effectiveness, according to some research data from Michigan State University. MSU scientists also

Undercover apples

January 15th, 2008|0 Comments

A British Columbia, Canada, orchard is pioneering crop tunnels for apple --production. Raymond and Sonja Barker of Silverhill Orchard in Mission, B.C., about an hour's

Meaningful orchard trials

January 15th, 2008|0 Comments

I am amazed how often I visit a grower's trial to pass comment and find that some fundamental error in the design does not allow

Value in the land

January 15th, 2008|0 Comments

Just north of Oroville, Washington, on the shores of Lake Osoyoos, plans for the first phase of the 110-unit Veranda Beach resort development are steaming

Lake Chelan's growth industry

January 15th, 2008|0 Comments

Lou Wagoner and Don Wood produce 2,000 cases of wine at Icicle Ridge, including dessert ice wines made from estate-grown grapes. On a sunny afternoon,

Last Bite

January 15th, 2008|0 Comments

Organized in 1901, the California Fruit Exchange, a marketing cooperative of independent fruit growers and shippers, sold its products under the brand name Blue Anchor.

Good Question

January 15th, 2008|0 Comments

Ed Wittenbach Belding, Michigan "Hottest variety." The optimal orchard starts with the hottest variety out there, said Belding, Michigan, grower Ed Wittenbach. While Honeycrisp is