Crop Management

Breeder focuses on developing resistant varieties

Rutgers University cranberry plant breeder Nick Vorsa is striving to complete research started by his predecessors nearly 140 years ago. When the university’s New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station was founded in 1880, the station’s own... more »

Secretary Vilsack releases statement on organic sector report

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has released a statement on the Organic Trade Association's report that the organic sector posted its largest-ever dollar gain in 2015. Total organic product sales grew by $4.2 billion, reaching $43.3... more »

UC Davis wins early ruling in strawberry lawsuit

A federal judge has made an initial ruling in California Berry Cultivar’s lawsuit against the University of California, Davis (UC Davis), and its strawberry-breeding program. California Berry founders Douglas Shaw and Kirk Larson were scientists... more »

Renewable energy sources now cheaper than ever

If you’ve looked into a renewable energy source – solar, wind, geothermal or other – as a way to power your farm and decided it was too expensive, you need to look again. The money-saving... more »

How to control black knot in Michigan

Black knot (Apiosporina morbosa), is a striking disease and a major disease of plum trees in Michigan. Black knot appears on the woody parts of the tree including twigs, limbs and sometimes the trunks. Black... more »

Growers can continue Belt insecticide use

Michigan State University Extension has received recent calls about using the insecticide Belt in tree fruits. This insecticide is legal to be sold and used according to the Belt label. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency... more »

Checking for fruitworms can help guide decisions in blueberry IPM

Cherry fruitworm emergence has started in southwest Michigan, and the first cranberry fruitworm moths are also being caught in a few sites. This highlights that it will soon be time for protecting the newly forming... more »

Hard freeze hit fruit orchards in April

Imagine a winter rather like this past one. A winter where February behaved like March (mostly) and March impersonated April. A delight to be sure. But not for the fruit grower with an eye on... more »