Crop Management

The orchard of the future: Higher tree densities, more automation

If asked what commercial fruit orchards might look like in the future – even up to a century from now – those who’ve studied orchards closely will give you a wide range of answers. The... more »

Washington state maneuvers past 2015 challenges

Washington state has had its share of fruit production challenges in 2015, among the latest being wildfires that struck portions of key fruit packing facilities in Chelan County in mid-August. Organizers of the July 15-17... more »

Energy-saving tips for orchardists developed by Penn State Extension

Penn State Extension, in cooperation with University of Vermont Extension and Rutgers Extension has developed energy-saving resources for Northeast farmers. The information is now available at E-Extension and includes information specific to tree fruit production.... more »

Adam Putnam declares state of agricultural emergency in Florida

Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Adam H. Putnam declared a state of agricultural emergency due to the Oriental Fruit Fly infestation in Miami-Dade County. The Oriental Fruit Fly is considered one of the most serious of... more »

Precision orchard management supports success of New York apple industry

Excellent is how Cornell University Horticulture Professor Terence Robinson describes the results of precision orchard management trials at four Northern New York apple orchards. The trials funded by the farmer-driven Northern New York Agricultural Development... more »

What to do about SWD-infested fruit?

The SWD monitoring network Counties are all positive for SWD as of last week, Aug. 28. A lot of SWD are being caught in traps in research sites now with population numbers expected to climb... more »

Project evaluates photoselective netting

It’s affectionately known in some circles of the Washington state research community as the “red, white and blue” project. It has the potential to protect high-value fruit crops from hail, with the added benefit of... more »

Jon Clements: IFTA Study Tour 2015 recap

Along with approximately 140 other lucky IFTA members, I had the good fortune to attend the IFTA Study Tour to Washington July 15-17, 2015 which visited orchards in the Columbia Basin area of southern Washington... more »

Storm damage: Northern Michigan winemakers may have no crop

For the past few days, we’ve been reporting on northern Michigan crop damage after a storm swept through the region on Aug. 2.As of now, winemakers are preparing for the possibility that they will have... more »

USDA to offer apple, grape grafting demos at Empire Farm Days

Scientists from the Agricultural Research Service Plant Genetic Resources Unit, Geneva, New York, will demonstrate grafting techniques used with apple trees and grapevines daily at the Aug. 11-13 Empire Farm Days at Rodman Lott and... more »

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

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