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Cowiche Growers cooperative celebrates a century
Cowiche Growers, a grower-owned fruit packing cooperative in Washington’s Yakima Valley, is celebrating its 100th anniversary this year.
Hard cider sales show regional resiliency
Despite growing competition in beverage options, multiple channels are driving hard cider sales.
Plant hormones help prevent bitter pit
PGRs proving to be effective bitter pit management tools.
Italian orchards growing into the multiverse
IFTA Italy tour-goers gawk at multileader planar systems.
A small start for Cosmic Crisp expansion overseas
International WA 38 producers beginning to get WSU variety to market.
Where pathogens persist in the packing house
Clemson University food safety study focuses on dry packing-line surfaces.
Washington state delegates seek better U.S.-India trade
Washington state’s bipartisan U.S. Congress delegation is asking federal representatives to improve apple trade conditions with India.
Lower exportations for Washington fruit industry
Crop sizes, global upheavals and market fluctuations are forcing exporters to rethink Washington’s apple destinations.
Yakima preserving Fruit Row history
Effort underway to denote Yakima, Washington, packing area as a historic place.
Investor owners remain interested in agriculture — Video
Who would buy an apple business right now? Investors, who are betting that access to more cashflow will better position their properties for the long haul.
Joseph and David Tisch, young growers from Mount Horeb, Wisconsin.
Joseph, left, and David are first-generation apple farmers who are attending University of Wisconsin. They are the sons of Laura and Brad Tisch and have three siblings.
Picking something different for U-pick plantings
More U-pick growers are choosing trellises over freestanding trees.
Insect eradication is hard
In the fight against invasive species, odds favor invaders.
Carbon calculations for Washington orchards
As interest grows on the climate implications of agriculture, it raises questions the industry needs more research to answer.
Fire blight workshops and webinars scheduled in 2023
The Washington State University Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center announced in a news release a series of workshops and webinars focused on the latest fire blight information...
Apple research reviews Jan. 24 and 25
The Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission invites everyone interested to attend the 2023 Apple Crop
Flying harvest robot demo drew a crowd at Interpoma — Video
Tevel Aerobotics' flying harvest robot was on display for attendees at the Interpoma apple trade show in Bolzano, South Tyrol, Italy, in November.
Apple-harvesting robot roundup — Video
Robotic fruit harvester development continues.
Lisa Aceves, a young grower from Tieton, Washington
Lisa is a third-generation farmer who started in high school and is now the orchard operations supervisor. Lisa is the granddaughter of Frances and Tony Peña, daughter of Maria Peña and Roy Aceves and works with her sister, Rosa, and brother, Rogelio.
Building their legacy: McDougall and Sons, 2022 Good Fruit Growers of the Year
Good Fruit Grower recognizes the McDougall family of Wenatchee, Washington, for innovative company culture and generosity with the industry.
Putting packaging first: 2022 Good Fruit Growers of the Year
Change is the big constant at McDougall and Sons’ packing facility outside East Wenatchee.
Ambrosia changed everything: 2022 Good Fruit Growers of the Year
Investing in new varieties early gave the McDougall family the reason and the resources to grow.
Robots highlight Interpoma conference and trade show in Bolzano
The tour-goers with International Fruit Tree Association ended their Italian tour with two days at the big event, Interpoma...
IFTA Italy continues with Ferrara orchard tours and Venice
The International Fruit Tree Association’s tour of Italy — IFTAly, if you will — continued Nov. 14 in the Ferrara region with tours of high-density fruit blocks and a breeding company visit, followed by some sightseeing in Venice on Nov. 15.
IFTA kicks off tour of Italy in Bologna
A tour of research trials at the world’s oldest university Nov. 13 and a visit to a massive agricultural equipment trade show Nov. 12 kicked off the International Fruit Tree Association’s tour of Northern Italy.
WSU’s 2023 North Central Washington Tree Fruit Days announced
2023 North Central Washington Tree Fruit Days are scheduled Jan. 17 to 19 in Wenatchee, Jan. 21 in Chelan and Feb. 7 in Omak
2022 apple residue report released
The Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission announced the publication of the 2022 pesticide residue study
Family farm driven to diversify
The Karstetter family expanded into row crops to help the third-generation growers build capital and keep the orchards in the family.
A shift in the process for processing orchards
High-density processing blocks just might be worth the cost.
Good to Know: Research works
An overview of this year’s research projects and upcoming research reviews.
Codling moth study covers many questions, many miles
WSU codling moth research is large in topic and geography.
The good, the bad and the maybe for Minnesota cider apples
University of Minnesota study looks near and far for cider apples that thrive in the region’s cold climate.
The shade sweet spot
Growers and researcher look to find the balance between sunburn protection and color development by pulling back shade nets before harvest.
Hot and cold therapy may be just right
Combination of treatments eliminates rootstock viruses.
Columbia Fruit Packers and Frosty Packing announce merger and Goldman Sachs investment
Washington’s Columbia Fruit Packers of Wenatchee and Frosty Packing of Yakima have announced a merger, stemming from strategic investment from Goldman Sachs Asset Management.
Honeycrisp is the new Honeycrisp
For growers, doubling down on a difficult variety isn’t easy.
Studying how to be a good sport
MSU scientists aim to uncover the mechanisms for why some sports ripen earlier or later.
Gerlach: The need for Newton
USApple launches online database to make apple statistics more accessible for answering industry questions.
Hands-on precision with computer vision
Lake Ontario tour showcases crop load management tools.
Sarah Lott Zost, a young grower from Gardners, Pennsylvania
Sarah is a fourth-generation grower who graduated from Michigan State University and is the co-chair of the Mid-Atlantic Young Grower Alliance. She is married to Mitch Zost and is the daughter of Barb and Jim Lott.
Apple industry feeling price pressures
Economic trends push consumers to buy cheaper apples as growers face rising costs of production.
Short expectations for Washington apple crop
Washington prepares for smaller-than-usual apple crop this season.
Fryhover: Exporting Cosmic Crisp
With Washington growers expecting 5 million boxes, it’s time to invest in international marketing.
Tropical storm Fiona spares Nova Scotia apples
Nova Scotia apple farmers were feeling “cautious relief” after post-tropical storm Fiona tore through Atlantic Canada Sept. 23–24 and are continuing to harvest what is still expected to be a fairly good crop.
The mystery math of prevailing wages
Tree fruit officials question prevailing wage methodology.
Cosmic Crisp field day focuses on horticulture research and commercial experience
Washington growers expect to wait at least another month to begin harvesting WA 38, according to growers who opened their orchards to a preharvest tour organized by Washington State University on Sept. 15.
IFTA tour covers all the hot topics
After its tour was postponed in 2020, the International Fruit Tree Association returned to check in on an industry facing headwinds.
Nathan Davis, a young grower from Odell, Oregon
Nathan returned to the family pear farm in the Hood River Valley about two years ago. He and his brother, Aubrey, work with their dad, Phil, and uncle, Jack Davis.
Washington receives $4.7 million in Specialty Crop Block Grant funds
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has awarded Washington state $4.7 million to support specialty crop
Cosmic Crisp, continued — Video
Learning from past harvests helps Washington apple industry prepare for this year’s WA 38 harvest and handling.