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Washington Apple Commission resumes full funding of its USApple dues
The Washington Apple Commission voted to rescind the cap it placed on funding provided to the U.S. Apple Association in 2022 and resume funding the advocacy organization at the same per-bushel rate as the rest of the industry...
Citing funding shortfall, advanced.farm shuts down work on apple harvester
Due to a lack of funding, advanced.farm, developers of an automated apple harvester that was close to commercialization, closed its doors last week and scuttled plans for a 2025 harvest season in Washington...
A chill-safe vineyard
Figgins Winery of Walla Walla shares cold mitigation practices and tips for replanting on rootstocks.
Columbia Gorge Fruit Growers director fired, admits theft
Columbia Gorge Fruit Growers has fired longtime executive director Mike Doke for allegedly stealing tens of thousands of dollars over multiple years...
Seeking alternatives for chemical thinners
New thinners step in to replace scrutinized carbaryl.
The thinking on cider apple thinning
Managing crop load for hard and sweet cider.
Tristan Dorfling, a young grower from Cape Town, South Africa
Tristan earned a master’s degree in horticulture from Stellenbosch University. He is married to Georgine and is the son of Linda Dorfling and Ralf Ketzer.
California farmer tells cautionary tale for Washington ag — Video
Cherry Institute speaker warns Washington to not follow California on policies.
Spotted lanternfly strategies for vineyards
Researchers have bad news and good news for spotted lanternfly management.
Blueberry council considers assessment increase
The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council is considering asking its members for an assessment increase to boost consumer demand...
Fighting fruit pests from the air
Spray drones show promise controlling pests in grapes and tree fruit.
Washington Winegrowers Association makes leadership pivot
Washington Winegrowers Association announced that Sara Higgins has been named interim executive director of the association...
To tariff or not to tariff? Fruit industry navigating North American export uncertainty
How would a North American tariff war impact Washington apple exports?
Netting for bird control
Protective nets can limit feeding damage in Michigan sweet cherries.
In a spot with cherry leaf spot
Growers return to copper fungicides for cherry leaf spot control.
Disease decisions for stone fruit
Stone fruit pathogens need consistent management, though options are limited.
New answers and new questions for codling moth control
WSU research updates and expands codling moth trap guidelines.
Third generation of moths unwelcome
Penn State entomologist shares updates on codling moth complications.
Jessica Foster, a young grower from Mannington, New Jersey
Jessica graduated from Penn State University and earned her master’s degree in soil science at the University of Vermont. She has a twin brother, Josh, a sister, Lindsey, and is the daughter of Terri and Bruce Foster.
Speakers share strategies for efficient little cherry disease management
Now many years into the battle against X disease and little cherry disease, growers find themselves skipping the testing phase, going straight from cherry symptoms at harvest to chain saws as soon as possible...
Understanding adaptability in different climates
South African trial investigates cultivar performance under varied climate conditions.
The chill factor for cherries in warmer climates
There is more to the cherry equation than chill needs.
More funding for more fungi research
FRAME Network expands to cover research for improved methods to battle fungal diseases.
Crab apples may hold keys for fire blight resistance
Understanding fire blight resistance in wild North American apples could improve control methods in commercial crops.
IFTA conference covers bitter pit
The third and final day of the International Fruit Tree Association’s 68th annual conference in Rochester, New York, on Feb. 19 covered a lot of topics, including the postharvest disorder bitter pit...
Spot marks the X for little cherry disease infections — Video
Canine pathogen detection shows promise, but commercialization could be a challenge.
Growers facing a fire blight pathogen predicament
Washington State University researcher finds resistance to fire blight antibiotic kasugamycin.
Paul van Westreenen, a young grower from Echteld, Netherlands
Paul is a fourth-generation farmer working on his 100-year-old family farm located in the Netherlands’ Gelderland province. He is the son of Margriet and Berend Jan van Westreenen and is working with his sister, Martine, on the farm.
IFTA annual meeting starts off with precision crop load
The Precision Apple Cropload Management project is nearing completion, and project leader and Cornell University horticulture professor Terence Robinson is ready to share some results...
More red ahead for cherry promotions
Northwest cherry promoters to reuse imagery and strategy from successful 2024 season.
Details on a new dieback pathogen in the Pacific Northwest
Cherry orchard survey alerts researchers to new pathogen, renews focus on fungi fight.
Gary Grove crowned 2025 Cherry King
—story by Kate Prengaman—photo by TJ Mullinax Mike Taylor, left, the 2024 Cherry King, crowns
UPDATED: Mass layoffs of federal workers will include scientists working for the fruit industry
On Thursday, Feb. 13, the Trump administration began serious cutbacks to the federal workforce, laying off recently hired employees across numerous agencies...
Penticton hort show focuses on climate challenges, risk management and handling neighbor conflict
British Columbia orchardists and vineyardists gathered this week at the Southern Interior Horticultural Show in Penticton to discuss strategies for managing climate challenges, pests and diseases and neighbor complaints...
Vine-tuning vineyard forecasts
ColdSnap tool will predict bud cold hardiness.
Stub cut considerations
Ideal stub length depends on variety, vigor and other factors.
Bad news bugs
Entomologist shares the latest research on three common apple pests.
Adoption hurdles for vineyard automation
Washington State Grape Society speakers discuss implementing sensor-based irrigation.
WineVit speakers: Washington grape volume and acreage continue to rightsize
Washington wine industry leaders painted a picture of a state rightsizing on Feb. 11, Day 2 of the Washington Winegrowers Association’s annual WineVit growers conference in Kennewick, Washington...
South African growers forging their own trials
International Fruit Tree Association visits South African growers putting their trees to the tests.
Making an estate winery work in northern Ohio
Growers adding up the acres and successes.
Washington wine industry gathers to celebrate and strategize
The Washington wine industry gathers this week in Kennewick, Washington, to collaborate on the challenges facing the industry and celebrate the careers of industry leaders...
Picking a winning cherry system
Oregon cherry grower favors steep leader but encourages execution over system.
Fruit growers facing a future climate now
South African growers routinely navigate heat and water stress as they modernize their orchard systems, and growers around the world can learn from them in the face of a changing global climate.
Good to Know: Iconic apples centuries in the making
A tale of two heirloom apples: Aport and Amasya.
Hansen: Supporting sustainability
Washington wine industry research supports long-term vineyard solutions.
Kayla Braich, a young grower from Kennewick, Washington
Kayla earned her psychology degree from Eastern Washington University and plans to return to university to obtain a degree in viticulture and enology. She’s married to Erin Braich and is the daughter of Cheryl Emineth and Kevin Paxton.
Frei: Forging ahead in 2025
Collective actions to respond to challenges help us advance our Washington wine community.
Lighting the way to pathogen control in the packing house
Researchers explore use of ultraviolet light on packing lines.
‘Granny’ helps guide apple storage decisions
New computer program rates apple starch sampling, offering warehouses more efficiency and researchers more precision.