Jan 8, 2013
Northwest Orchard & Vineyard Show Jan. 21-22

The 2013 Northwest Orchard and Vineyard Show is scheduled for Jan. 21-22, and will be held at the Grand Traverse Resort in Acme, Mich. Registration opens at 8 a.m., and the cost for both days is $30, which is payable at the door. The line is often long at the registration desk, so attendees are encouraged to arrive well before the 9 a.m. start time.

The concurrent winegrape session will be held on Jan. 21, and tree fruit topics will be offered on both days.

At this year’s show, we are pleased to host Richard Holownicki, from the Research Institute of Horticulture, Skierniewice, Poland. He is the head of the Horticultural Engineering Department at the institute. His main research interests are fruit production mechanization, spray application technique, tunnel sprayers, spray drift and precision agriculture.

On the first day of the Show, Holownicki will cover the topics of Mechanical Harvesting of Tart Cherries and High Density Sour Cherry Tree Management. Jim Flore will discuss his work on delaying bloom in Montmorency cherry, a topic that will likely interest growers after this difficult season. Larry Gut will address pest management challenges and opportunities for cherry growers in light of changing regulations and invasive insect species. Other topics will include a report on bird damage studies in tree fruit, a MAEAP update and how growers can prepare financially for fruit farming after the crop loss of 2012, and best management practices to control cherry leaf spot.

The fruit industry luncheon keynote speaker this year will be Fred Poston, new dean of the College of Agriculture & Natural Resources at Michigan State University. Lunch on Jan. 21 will be $15, and all growers are welcome to attend.

On Jan. 22, Cherry Marketing Institute will host its annual meeting with a bit of a twist. With no crop to market this season, this session will focus on climate variability and the challenges for growers. Educational sessions will include topics on frost protection methods, crop insurance and some multi-country work that has looked at climate variability and tart cherries. The session will round out with a panel of growers discussing how and if climate variability is affecting their decisions on the farm.

The exhibit hall will be open throughout the show and will feature vendors of orchard and vineyard equipment as well as supplies, commodity organizations and more. For more information, call the NW MI Horticultural Research Center at 231-946-1510, or email [email protected] Orchard and Vineyard Show program is co-sponsored by the Grand Traverse Fruit Growers’ Council, Parallel 45 Vines and Wines, Michigan State Horticultural Society, Michigan State University Extension, Cherry Marketing Institute and MSU AgBioResearch.




Current Issue

On-farm AI: Water, farm, labor research guide decisions

Data collection tool expands farm management

Carmel Valley winegrapes: Parsonage Village Vineyard

IFTA Yakima Valley tour provides orchard insights

IFTA recognizes tree fruit honorees

Pennsylvania recognizes fruit industry professionals

Fresh Views 40 Under 40

see all current issue »

Be sure to check out our other specialty agriculture brands

produceprocessingsm Organic Grower