Apples

USDA approves record-breaking purchase of apples

The U.S. Apple Association’s (USApple) request for a bonus buy of fresh apples and processed products has been approved by USDA. The purchase includes 34.9 million pounds of fresh apples and 16.1 million pounds of... more »

Penn State: Spring management recommendations for pests

This year, the forecasted accumulation of degree days base 43° F for April 28, 2015, is even lower than the corresponding number for 2014. As the colder weather influences the general development of insect pests,... more »

Penn State: Tree fruit diseases to manage during May

May is the battleground month for disease management: growers need to be on alert for apple scab, fire blight, powdery mildew, rust, cherry leaf spot, brown rot and bacterial spot infection conditions. Here is what... more »

Use Precision Cropload Management tools to target apple crop load

Chemical thinning is the most difficult annual grower practice, yet the most important. Too little thinning will produce a crop of small fruit and poor return bloom. Over-thinning will produce a crop of large apples... more »

CPS donates crop protection products to MSU

Crop Production Services has donated $3,000 worth of fungicide and adjuvant products to Michigan State University (MSU), a donation made in conjunction with the Michigan Tree Fruit Commission.The donation – 25 30-pound bags of Roper... more »

Rain-resistant coating cuts cherry cracking in half

A tissue-thin, food-grade film developed at Oregon State University (OSU) acts like a raincoat for sweet cherries, cutting rain-related cracking of the fruit in half and potentially saving a whole season’s crop.The stretchy spray-on biofilm,... more »

Penn State: Spray for apple scab now

If not already completed, copper sprays are encouraged for fungal and bacterial disease control. Apple scab primary infection has kicked off this week.Apple scabAs of April 6, we detected the initial release of mature spores... more »

MSU publishes Michigan regional fruit reports

Here are Michigan's regional fruit reports for April 7, courtesy of Michigan State University Extension.West MichiganWeather. A bit similar to 2014, spring is slow to arrive in 2015. Fruit growers tend to be pleased with... more »