Pacific Northwest
Washington tree fruit industry awards over $1.1 million in scholarships
The Washington Apple Education Foundation (WAEF) awarded a record 320 new and renewing students with scholarship support this spring. Funding for the awards was raised through voluntary contributions from members of the tree fruit industry... more »
Protecting vineyards from birds with drones is study topic
Aerial drones could eventually help Washington growers recoup some of the $80 million a year in crop damages caused by birds. That’s according to a study by Washington State University scientists published earlier this year... more »
Fresh Arctic Apple slices launching into foodservice markets
Okanagan Specialty Fruits Inc. (OSF) introduced non-browning Arctic apple fresh slices to a receptive foodservice industry at the Produce Marketing Association’s (PMA) recent Foodservice Show in Monterey, California. “It was exciting for us to exhibit... more »
Pear Bureau Northwest receives trade mitigation relief funding
Pear Bureau Northwest (PBNW) has been awarded $1,540,830 in the second round of the Agricultural Trade Program (ATP) funding - part of the U.S. government's larger trade mitigation relief package. Between the two allocations, the organization... more »
NASS forecasts 2019 Northwest fruit production
The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) on Aug. 12 released estimates for fruit production in the Pacific Northwest for the current season. NASS’ Olympia office detailed forecasts for Idaho, Oregon and Washington state. Fruit... more »
Washington blueberry grower fights late mandatory pay rate hike
One of Washington’s largest blueberry growers is threatening to cut short the 2019 harvest and replace human pickers with machines next year. That’s the company’s reaction to a recent mandatory pay rate increase for guest... more »
2019 Washington apple harvest predicted to be 137.3 million boxes
The Washington State Tree Fruit Association (WSTFA) released its forecast for the 2019 Washington state fresh apple crop on Aug. 7. The 2019 forecast is for a fresh pack crop of 137.3 million standard forty-pound... more »
Northwest pear crop larger than initial estimate for 2019-20
Northwest pear growers have released their latest crop estimate for the 2019-20 season. The estimate is based on data reported from Washington's Wenatchee and Yakima districts and Oregon's Mid-Columbia and Medford districts. While the initial season... more »
