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Full extent of freeze damage unknown for Great Lakes fruit
Snow on apple blossoms at Beasley’s Orchard in Danville, Indiana, on April 21. Freezing temperatures
Idaho’s anchor for fruit growers
Parma pomologist helps state’s growers, connects industry to innovations in apple production.
Asian pears not for the thin-skinned
Asian pears can work in Eastern states but need intensive management.
IFTA regional roundup
Annual winter conference highlights planting trends throughout North America.
Fight the blight with an endophyte?
Microbes from native plants may inhibit fruit tree diseases.
WSDA raises alarm about Japanese beetle reports in Yakima Valley
Residents and growers asked to report sightings, even from last season.
National Organic Standards Board meetings upcoming, NHC urges growers to comment
The National Organic Standards Board has scheduled its spring meetings in April with discussion to
AgWeatherNet to offer frost forecasts for the Washington tree fruit industry
Observed low temperatures from AgWeatherNet stations, such as these seen on March 11, will be
Luke Tonnemaker, a young grower from Royal City, Washington
Luke is a fourth-generation farmer who studied food and nutrition at University of Idaho. He’s the son of Sonia and Kole Tonnemaker.
New task force tackles codling moth
Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission created team of nearly 30 to take the lead in managing the pest.
Kalcsits named endowed chair for tree fruit environmental physiology and management at WSU
Washington State University physiologist Lee Kalcsits has been named WSU’s endowed chair for tree fruit
Help from above for tree fruit growers
Changes in climate and wages may fuel a surge in aerial applications.
Fire blight fusion
National $5 million project will unify regional research efforts.
Genetic study shows maturity matters in storage disorder development
Cutting-edge genetic research techniques help USDA postharvest scientists study fruit maturity and storage disorders.
A pathway for pears
WSU’s Musacchi says two-leader plantings can give pear growers the long-awaited benefits of higher density production today.
NW Pear Research Review Feb. 17 on Zoom
The Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission invites anyone interested to join the 2021 Northwest Pear
Organic ins and outs
Three pear industry leaders discuss the considerations of organic production.
Washington and the Netherlands make orchard innovation collaboration official
After two years of conversation and planning, this week Washington state formalized a partnership with the Netherlands to collaborate on research and technology innovation for the tree fruit industry.
Clayton Ringer, a young grower from The Dalles, Oregon
Clayton is a first-generation farmer who returned to the Columbia Gorge after spending time working in industrial solar energy. He’s the son of Kristen and Jai Ringer.
Pacific Northwest pear orchards needed for trechnites study
Rebecca Schmidt-Jeffris of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service in Wapato, Washington, is
Restart the ripening clock
A genetic discovery leads to new compound that could kick-start pear ripening and shows potential in sliced pears.
Cherry Institute and Tree Fruit Days go virtual
Series of webinars next week organized by WSU Extension feature cherry, apple and pear priorities.
Family farm finds a fruitful future
New ventures in cider, wine and pear pizza bring more visitors and stronger financial footing to an Oregon fruit farm.
IFTA shares details on virtual February meeting
What’s a winter IFTA meeting without that tingling sensation of cold toes during a snowy
Orchard investments continue to grow
USApple panel: Private equity still sees solid long-term prospects in tree fruit.
Erica Bland, a young grower from Dryden, Washington
Erica is a fourth-generation farmer with a degree in criminal justice and sits on the Blue Star Growers board of directors. Erica is the daughter of Vince and Lesa Bland.
Parker and Sarah Sherrell, young growers from Hood River, Oregon
Sarah and Parker are first-generation farmers who recently purchased their own farm. Sarah graduated from University of Oregon and earned her master’s degree in business from George Fox University.
Pear potential in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania growers take another look at pears.
Autonomous approach coming for tree fruit — Video
A self-driving sprayer may be coming to the tree fruit industry.
Juan Ojeda, a young grower from Royal City, Washington
Juan is a second-generation tree fruit farmer who recently joined Simplot Growers. He’s the son of Celina and Juan Ojeda.
Organic production suffers with the silent treatment
Grower comments help protect access to needed materials.
Proposed amendment targets fraud in organic industry
Strengthening Organic Enforcement rule would clarify USDA organic regulations.
Pear proponents ponder possibilities
Pear research community asks for potential alternatives to starting breeding program from scratch.
Preserving pears is a profitable partnership
How Gerber/Nestle is helping maintain Michigan industry.
A deal for canned pears
Under new law, processors and growers reach price agreement.
Risks with few rewards for pear growers
Peshastin pear growers say that without marketing and postharvest handling changes to spur consumer demand, prices put them in a precarious position.
Federal grant will help MSU study fire blight control
Fire blight, seen here on apple tree branches, can hinder apple and pear yields and
Moffitt: Promotional reaction
Pear Bureau adapts quickly to retail changes.
Fletcher Hukari, a young grower from Hood River, Oregon
Fletcher is a fourth-generation farmer who graduated from the University of Utah. He’s the son of Tami and Brian Hukari.
Improving irrigation improves pear profits — Video
A precision approach can help pear growers protect packouts.
Quince comparisons — Video
Several dwarfing rootstocks for pears show promise in trial, but more study still needed.
Forecasts inside and out
AgWeatherNet project to measure effect of orchard on weather station data.
Northwest fresh pear crop estimated at 366,000 tons
Pear Bureau Northwest announced in a news release the first official estimate of the 2020–21
Crystal Aguilar, a young grower from Zillah, Washington
Crystal is a second-generation farmer who grew up in the Yakima Valley and originally pursued teaching before joining her brother, Tony Mendoza, with Haak Administrative Services. She is married to Jesus Aguilar and is the daughter of Trinidad and Elieser Mendoza.
Pandemic packing pivot
Fruit warehouses across the U.S. adjust practices to continue shipping amid the coronavirus.
Hold on to your Anjous
On the controversial topic of self-regulation, the Northwest pear industry approved stricter quality standards for early season Anjou shipments, but do they go far enough?
Fruit industry questions eligibility for USDA direct payment program
Few tree fruit growers able to access benefits as program began.
Marketing pears in a pandemic
The Pear Bureau Northwest’s annual meeting featured updates on marketing pivots and planning for the season ahead.
Fresh Pear Committee changes marketing order for Anjous in revote — Updated
The compromise proposal is a “step in the right direction,” according to committee chair, but some growers say it doesn’t go far enough.
Pear Bureau Northwest will meet via webinar May 26–29
The Pear Bureau Northwest’s annual meetings will be held via webinar May 26–29. The meetings