Recently published articles featured on Good Fruit Grower.
Underground watering spreads across vineyards
Grower agreements help Washington State University professor scale up subsurface irrigation method.
Dialing in a more affordable soil moisture sensor
Engineering researcher developing a less expensive soil moisture sensor that uses radio waves.
For better weed management, deplete the seed bank
Fighting weeds in fruit crops requires a concerted approach.
Sustaining success with a soil-first farming system — Video
Regenerative apple grower wants to feed his soil microbes as well as his trees to create a more resilient orchard system.
Ag waste that isn’t waste
New partnership will recycle old trees and dairy waste to foster more climate-friendly farming in Eastern Washington.
Keeping pollen cool during hot weather
Overhead irrigation during blueberry bloom can mitigate extreme heat and protect the crop.
Disaster declarations give Northwest cherry growers access to emergency loans
Washington and Oregon cherry growers are eligible for emergency loans following crop losses in 2023...
New online tool for Northwest grape growers
Grant funds an updated cost-of-production calculator for Washington, Oregon and Idaho grape producers.
Scheduling irrigation in sandy soils
Sandy saturation: Michigan State University researchers study high-density irrigation scheduling in sandy soils.
Inversion conditions help inform frost forecasts
Precision frost protection research project looks at inversion events with weather towers and drones to build better models for growers.
The value of variable orchard inputs
New technology helps to make precision nutrient management easier to execute.
X-ray visions for sterile insect technique
Ag tech company pursues new codling moth sterilization method.
Apple industry sees constant change in Central Washington
International Fruit Tree Association tours Yakima Valley orchards in transition.
IFTA speakers share insights with the industry
International Fruit Tree Association conference topics include climate challenges and Honeycrisp nutrition.
The future for irrigators and automation — Video
Veteran irrigators still have a role in the automation of water delivery systems, panel says.
Research revealing grapevine root relationships
Penn State University scientists find complexity in the interactions between grapevine roots and soil microbes.
Milkovich: Where do we grow from here?
Our changing climate demands resilience.
Crop load comes first when managing common apple storage disorders
Nutrient plans matter, but crop load is Job 1 for avoiding bitter pit and green spot.
Growers planting gardens for pollinators
Washington State University research finds bees and wasps live year-round in orchard-adjacent flower gardens.
Managing frost threats in the vineyard
Spring freeze protection starts with vineyard site and cultivar selection.
A new hive home for Michigan bee research
MSU center focuses on honey bee health and pollination research.
Good Stuff, March 15, 2024
A selection of the latest products and services for tree fruit and grape growers.
Glowing light at night helps fight fire blight
Anti-microbial UV-C light applications can fight fire blight and other diseases.
Researchers shine a light on fruitlets to guide thinning decisions
North Carolina researchers study another way to predict thinning accuracy.
Dialing in crop load data with machine-learning management
International Fruit Tree Association meeting dives into sensor systems making progress on providing accurate, actionable crop load data.
Precision crop load management based on counting, no cameras required — Video
IFTA panelists share tips for people-powered precision.
The 15-month plan for cherry crop load management
Cherry crop load management takes more than a year.
Better bee activity from hives that thrive
Good blueberry pollination requires strong honey bee hives.
Navigating the new Washington wine landscape — Video
Washington wine industry looks at positioning itself for success in an era of shifting consumer demands.
Patrick and Haley Colbert, young growers from Tonasket, Washington
Spouses Haley and Patrick are both third-generation apple and pear growers who each graduated from Washington State University: Haley with a degree in accounting and Patrick with a degree in agricultural technology management. Haley’s parents are Belinda and Gary Grillo and Patrick’s are Rhonda and Raymond Colbert.
Orchard pests also pose problems in the lab
Fickle pests vex entomologists studying how to kill them.
Pushback on cherry powdery mildew
After a dry-season respite in recent years, powdery mildew pressure is back in Northwest cherry orchards.
IFTA to tour California July 16–18
The International Fruit Tree Association has set the dates of its 2024 California summer tour...
Worrying wounds on Northeast apple trees
Northeast growers grapple with mysterious tree damage on exposed rootstocks.
Management of mites and menaces in the vineyard
Picking off pesky vineyard pests one by one.
Good to Know: Sanitizing beyond the surface
New research evaluates sanitizing strategies for harvest bins and picking bags.
Mapping innovation for the Washington tree fruit industry
Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission updates its Technology Roadmap.
Entomologists study enemies of your enemy
Parasitoids pursue spotted wing drosophila to North America.
Evidence for inaction with psylla control
New thresholds for pest and predator monitoring can give growers more data for IPM decisions.
Integrating IPM in pear orchards — Video
Pear growers share experiences switching to softer psylla control.
South Africa on the IFTA schedule
Registration is open for the International Fruit Tree Association’s study tour in South Africa, scheduled for December...
Hansen: Mealybug focus for Washington vineyards
Sustainable management of grape mealybug a top priority for Washington wine industry.
Producing and emitting befuddling pheromones
Companies begin process of commercializing grape mealybug pheromone.
Good Stuff, March 1, 2024
A selection of the latest products and services for tree fruit and grape growers.
Tynan: Adverse effects of the Adverse Effect Wage Rate
How congressional inaction on H-2A wages puts growers out of business.
Canker menace makes a comeback
Northwest cherry growers fight against oozing outbreaks and signs of antibiotic resistance.
Kyler Riggleman, a young grower from White Salmon, Washington
Kyler, a fourth-generation farmer in the White Salmon Valley, graduated from Washington State University with a fruit and vegetable management degree. He’s married to Payton and is the son of Dena and John Riggleman.
Mixed messages for organic apple industry
Organic demand curves give Washington apple marketers pause.
Season-long sprays support organic storage success
Researchers offer best practices for ensuring long-term health when storing organic apples.
Swipe right for easier pathogen detection in the vineyard
Powdery mildew project strengthens framework for fungicide resistance testing.