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Growing pains for pear growers
Study shows financial hurdles to breaking into Oregon’s pear industry.
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
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
Virtual spotlight on Washington agriculture
A video tour for scientists showcases Washington orchardists who are blazing new trails in fruit production.
Processed Pear Committee nominations open for Oregon positions
Nominations for positions on the Washington/Oregon Processed Pear Committee will take place online Dec. 9
Processed Pear Committee nominations open for Washington positions
Nominations for positions on the Washington/Oregon Processed Pear Committee will take place Dec. 6 at
Cody Ashurst, a young grower from Hopland, California
Cody is a fourth-generation farmer in the Mendocino valley and graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in agribusiness. He’s the son of Kurt Ashurst and is married to Tatianna Ashurst.
Crop coverage complexity
Whole-Farm Revenue Protection insurance is attractive to specialty crops, but be sure to know what you are signing up for.
WSU Extension announces pear study circles to improve profitability and sustainability
Washington State University Extension announced a series of study circles for pear producers, beginning Oct.
Gem reaches Year 3
Producers of dual-threat pear now have enough volume to market more aggressively.
New pear people
Starting jobs during the pandemic hasn’t slowed the progress of new pear scientists.
Good to Know: Ten pruning rules
Universal techniques that deliver high yields and packouts of apples and pears.
Toward precision pear packing
For Anjous, ripening efforts begin to pay off.
Putting IPM to work
Wenatchee Valley pear growers implement integrated pest management strategies to help control pear psylla.
Northwest growers anticipate average pear crop of 16.1 million boxes
Northwest pear producers anticipate a crop of 16.1 million standard box equivalents, on par with
Moffitt: Still fresh after 90 years
Social media marketing and “Pearsonality” graphics introduce consumers to pears.
Zoning in on ozone
Researchers put pest and disease control alternatives to trial.
Short supplies mean no quantity control
Shortages of pallets, containers and more hit fruit shippers.
Psycho Clown scores a win for pears
USA Pears contracts with Mexican luchador as health spokesman.
Hoard hired as new regional marketing manager for Pear Bureau Northwest
Michele Hoard Pear Bureau Northwest, a nonprofit marketing organization promoting fresh pears grown in Washington
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.