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IFTA Summer Tour wraps up with focus on research, frost
Michigan State University plant pathologist George Sundin points out an obviously infected tree in
Cowgill: Improving rootstocks for peaches
By Win Cowgill: After NC-140 research project’s success, new studies hope to do the same with peaches.
Lake Ontario Tour shows wide range of New York tree fruit farming
The only consistency on the Lake Ontario Fruit Program tour this summer was the humidity. Otherwise, the five-farm tour organized by Cornell University Cooperative Extension covered a remarkably diverse swath of tree fruit farming in a narrow band along Lake Ontario’s shores: new high density apple plantings and apple orchards far older than this reporter, along with high density peaches, berries, and a brand new cidery.
Scholarships offered for United Fresh Washington Conference
The application period for the 2017 Frieda Rapoport Caplan Family Business Scholarship is now open.
OSU researchers develop field test for crown gall
A woman can find out if she’s pregnant without going to a doctor. Soon, farmers may be able to find out if their fruit trees or grape vines have crown gall disease without going to a laboratory.
Lessons learned from Michigan’s plum pox plight
Michigan research station recovers 10 years after infection requires removal of entire orchards.
Southeastern peach growers eye solutions after freeze
After warm winter, southeastern peach growers lost most of their crop to a spring freeze — now finding ways to adapt has become critical.
Colorado’s canker crisis costing millions
Growers and researchers are working together to figure out how to protect peach trees.
Mite threatening honeybees in New York
A tiny mite is being blamed for major honeybee losses in New York, threatening the state’s $500 million agriculture industry.
Vanguard International buys Pride Packing
The Vanguard International Group of Issaquah, Washington, has purchased Pride Packing Co. of Wapato, Washington, to further its goal of developing a vertically integrated fresh-fruit organization.
Seattle Times: Tree Top uses surplus peaches to feed hungry
From The Seattle Times: There’s the old adage, “When life gives you lemons, make lemonade.”
Scholarships available for IFTA trip to New Zealand
IFTA has reserved a limited number of spots on its 2018 New Zealand Study Tour and Annual Conference for recipients of Young Professional Scholarships.
Food safety answers: What’s in your water? — Videos
Questions abound about implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act. To keep you abreast of
Native flora can attract beneficial insects to the vineyards and orchards
Between rows, think local
Do you have enough active carbon in your soil?
WSU extension specialist offers tips on how to track the health of your orchard.
Fertilizer tips to maximize baby tree growth
Nourishing new orchards
The latest on FF Robotics’ machine harvester
IFTA’s summer field tour in New York last year focused on automation technologies
Brett Grobe, a Young Grower from Elyria, Ohio
family background / Brett is a sixth-generation fruit and vegetable grower in northern
Don’t invest in unwanted shoot growth
With spring approaching in the Northern Hemisphere, a new season for orchardists starts with flowers, new leaves and shoots — and much anxiety.
Fighting honeybee decline with instrumental insemination — Video
WSU researchers hope to breed better bees
A new, old bee
From high in the Tien Shan Mountains of Central Asia, Washington State University entomologists Steve Sheppard and Brandon Hopkins have brought home semen from a new strain of honeybees that evolved right alongside the wild apple tree.
Mulch madness at Oregon soil workshop
David Granatstein of the Washington State University Center for Sustaining Agriculture and Natural Resources
Wasps released to eat stink bug eggs
A Trissolcus japonicus parasitoid wasp lays eggs inside brown marmorated stink bug eggs at
FSMA answers: Preparing your facility
Questions abound about implementation of the Food Safety Modernization Act. To keep you abreast of
Tissue culture company begins selling plants directly to growers – Video
Culture change: Oregon company looks to reduce wait time for key rootstocks
ITFA Day 3: “From Bud to Bin”
Mike Robinson talks to IFTA participants about his partial, tilted shade cloth in one
Is it really clean? Aggressive cleaning makes big difference
Study shows areas with floor, wall damage are key harborage sites for Listeria.
Empire State Producers Expo: Thursday wrapup
A hard cider tasting wrapped up one of the final sessions of the Empire
Washington grower and packer Gary W. Hansen dies at 73
Gary W. Hansen, the former president of Hansen Fruit and Cold Storage of Yakima, Washington,
Empire State Producers Expo: Wednesday wrapup
A sparsely attended but lively discussion about H-2A guest workers highlighted Wednesday’s proceedings at the
Where do you match consumer expectations?
Economists quantify importance of fruit qualities based on differing perspectives of producers, packers and consumers.
Empire State Producers Expo: Tuesday wrapup
Craig Kahlke, Cornell University fruit quality management extension specialist, helps New York apple grower
Empire State Producers Expo: Monday wrapup
Elizabeth Bihn About 50 farmers, many of them apple growers, took one of
Washington state expands apple maggot quarantine area
After finding apple maggot in the southeastern corner of Lincoln County, the Washington State Department
Public input requested on labor practices charter
The Produce Marketing Association and United Fresh Produce Association are seeking public input on a
Additional scholarships available for Washington farmers market convention
The Washington State Farmers Market Association has received funding for an additional 25 specialty crop
Industry groups lend plenty of opportunities for growers to get involved
In Washington’s tree fruit industry, three state commissions, four federal marketing orders, numerous nonprofit associations
Finding the right people
Orchards and packing houses aren’t the only places in the fruit industry with a labor shortage. Universities also are struggling to hire researchers and educators needed to keep the industry ahead of pest pressures, prepared for food safety requirements, growing new varieties and in tune with emerging technology.
WSU Extension plans 2017 winter tree fruit programs
Tree fruit producers and industry professionals are invited to five WSU Tree Fruit Extension Programs
WSTFA annual meeting — Wednesday wrapup
Hermann Thoennissen: Get the stakeholders together, develop a farm transition plan and be consistent
Day 1, Washington hort show, morning summary – Video
Sam Godwin, opens the 112th Annual Meeting and Northwest Hort Expo on December 5,
Washington State hires tree fruit extension specialist
Rob Blakey, shown here in a Pasco, Washington, orchard, specializes in postharvest issues. (TJ
Share your know-how and grow-how — Great Lakes Expo preview
Expert view: Individual growers must take on customer fears about GMOs and chemicals.
WSTFA annual meeting 2016: How continuous change forces adaptation
Why change now? A Good Point by Sam Godwin
Wal-Mart weighs in on food safety
Apples on display at a Yakima, Washington, Wal-Mart. (TJ Mullinax/Good Fruit Grower) Illnesses
Promising progress for solid-set delivery
MSU research team improves system to reduce chemical waste.
Devon Newhouse, Young Grower from Sunnyside, Washington
Devon’s family started out raising cattle in the Yakima Valley, then moved into hops, tree fruit and grapes.
Growers lay out future of family farm with succession plan
Generations to follow
New peach and nectarine varieties help Eastern growers compete
Marketing challenges in the Mid-Atlantic
Reinventing the string thinner (Video)
California cling peach grower modifies Darwin for nonplanar orchards.