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Individual and alumni volunteers recognized by Washington Apple Education Foundation
The Washington Apple Education Foundation, WAEF, presented the nonprofit’s 2020 Individual Volunteer of the Year
Autonomous approach coming for tree fruit — Video
A self-driving sprayer may be coming to the tree fruit industry.
David Bittner, a young grower from Appleton, New York
David is a second-generation farmer who grows fruit along Lake Ontario and who graduated with a degree in agriculture system management from Purdue University. He is the son of Margo and Jim Bittner.
USApple donates to emergency program to feed students
The U.S. Apple Association has donated $20,000 to the School Nutrition Foundation’s “Help Feed School
Bitter discovery of new bitter rot pathogen
New species could explain rising incidence of rot in New York.
An early peek at pathogens
WSU researcher develops rapid detection primers for postharvest disorders.
Digging deeper into replant disorder
MSU team studies nature of problem in Michigan orchards.
Growers hail a curtain call
Columbia Basin orchardists rig retractable netting system.
Apple coloring improves on further reflection
Fabric improves apple coloring, grower profits in Cornell trial.
Net works for New York growers
New York growers weigh pros, cons of using drape netting.
The club crowd
Apple growers, packers, retailers and consumers are all trying to find their way in the growing maze of managed varieties.
The pandemic press on apple marketing
Marketers, retailers respond to a year of chaos for consumers.
An unprecedented year
USApple focuses on positive during virtual conference.
Apple forecast: 2020 crop down 3 percent from last year
Gala officially bests Red Delicious as the top variety, and Honeycrisp is expected to rank third in 2020.
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.
Fryhover: Allow apple competition
With exports falling, the Washington Apple Commission looks to focus on home court strength.
Stem clipping key to Cosmic quality
As Cosmic Crisp harvest approaches, growers are advised to clip stems and pick promptly once fruit shows signs of starch clearing.
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.
Smoke, wind drive down Washington apple crop estimate
Wind damage has driven down Washington’s apple crop estimate while smoky Northwest skies have delayed
Federal grant will help MSU study fire blight control
Fire blight, seen here on apple tree branches, can hinder apple and pear yields and
Appeals judge upholds WSU Cosmic Crisp victory over Phytelligence
A federal appeals judge has ruled in favor of Washington State University in its lawsuit
Cornell releases three new apple varieties
Cornell AgriTech’s apple breeding program has released three new varieties. In a Sept. 2 news
Washington Fruit and Produce Co. and Yakima Fresh announce partnership
Two Yakima, Washington, fruit companies with over a century of experience each announced a merger
Forecasts inside and out
AgWeatherNet project to measure effect of orchard on weather station data.
Apple Outlook, Day 2: 2020 crop down 3 percent from last year
The 2020 USApple estimate is 253.3 million bushels, very close to the USDA estimate, as
Apple Outlook, Day 1: Speakers talk messaging and crop sizes
The 2020 Apple Crop Outlook & Marketing Conference is being held online Aug. 20–21. The
Sensor overload
Pilot project installs dozens of sensors in an apple orchard to learn how the different technologies can best inform better management.
University of Idaho to hold Heritage Orchard Conference online
The University of Idaho’s Sandpoint orchard will hold a free monthly webinar regarding tree fruit
A long and fruitful fruition for Apple Vacuum System
After years of collaboration, testing and improvements, vacuum harvest system nearly ready for mass production.
Washington apple growers expect another 134 million box crop
Washington apple growers expect to harvest 134 million boxes in 2020, according to the crop
Industry eyeing apples aplenty
Trade wars, pandemic are responsible for too much fruit in storage.
Michigan fruit group focuses on innovation at field day
Randy Kober describes his experiences with a plant-in-place block of Honeycrisp during RidgeFest 2020, the
Interpoma announces online events
Interpoma, the international fair dedicated to the world of apples, will be presented in a
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.
Roche: Mechanical fruitlet thinning
New tool shows promise in trials by French researchers, especially when paired with mechanical bloom thinning.
When research grows sideways
Michigan State University assistant professor is studying the genetics of tree architecture.
WAEF scholarship students and sponsors celebrated in online campaign
Instead of gathering together for the traditional scholarship celebration luncheons held each year, the Washington
Christopher Gerlach to join USApple as director of industry analytics
Christopher Gerlach The U.S. Apple Association announced Christopher Gerlach will join the organization as director
USDA agrees apple growers qualify for CFAP funds
The U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a correction to its Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP)
Pandemic packing pivot
Fruit warehouses across the U.S. adjust practices to continue shipping amid the coronavirus.
Kyle Rasch, a young grower from Conklin, Michigan
Kyle is a fifth-generation famer in the West-central Michigan region. He was part of USApple’s Young Apple Leaders program, obtained a business degree from Grand Rapids Community College and is the son of Sue and Chuck Rasch.
Another Cosmic lawsuit filed
Management company accuses nursery of illegal propagation of WA 38 trees.
Fruit industry questions eligibility for USDA direct payment program
Few tree fruit growers able to access benefits as program began.
Washington shippers making Farmers to Families food boxes
USDA coronavirus response program offers contracts so distributors can supply nonprofits, benefiting both growers and families in need.
Ludacrisp gaining speed
Growers planting Midwest Apple Improvement Association’s second-most popular variety in greater numbers.
Soil now regulated under apple maggot quarantine in Washington
The Washington State Department of Agriculture finalized a rule change that adds soil and growing
Red flesh for red ciders
Michigan State University program focused on varieties for juice.
Hot start continues for Cosmic Crisp
In Washington State University study, second-leaf Cosmic Crisp packouts surpass third-leaf results.
Apple industry appeals to USDA to revisit pandemic payment eligibility
USApple says the USDA used flawed approach that found most apple growers ineligible for support despite price declines and sales slowdowns