Farm Management

Falling Apples: Growers challenged by costs, declining acreage

U.S. apple growers are producing more fruit — and additional club varieties — on fewer acres but are also challenged by a series of higher growing costs during inflationary times. Chris Gerlach, director of industry... more »

Report: farmer sentiment sours as crop prices decline

According to the latest Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer, producer sentiment fell to its weakest reading since July 2022. Farmer sentiment declined 19 points to a reading of 104 in May. The Index of... more »

Unifrutti deploys Tevel’s flying robots to harvest apples

Chilean company Unifrutti has harvested apples using robots from Israeli start-up Tevel. Tevel’s autonomous harvesting system harvested several apple varieties in Unifrutti Chile’s orchards from March to May. Unifrutti growers gather... more »

Supreme Court decision narrows WOTUS definition

The U.S. Supreme Court has narrowed the definition of waters of the United States (WOTUS) and areas regulated under the Clean Water Act. In a unanimous decision on May 25, the court limited the areas... more »

House committee seeks answers on DOL H-2A delays

U.S. House and Senate Republicans are questioning the Department of Labor about what they say are “substantial delays” in processing agricultural employers’ requests for workers through the H-2A temporary visa program. In a May 25... more »

New AI: early size profile available for pears

The U.S. is one of the top three pear producers globally, and work is under way in many areas of the supply chain to ensure more pears make it to market. From rootstock research and... more »

Truterra’s carbon payments top $5 million in 2022

Truterra, which offers consultation, tools and solutions on sustainability for agriculture businesses, paid more than $5 million in 2022 to farmers through its carbon storage program. In the first two years of the program, Truterra,... more »

California bill addresses fire costs to farms

Wildfires that raged across California over the past several years have devastated farms, spoiling crops and burning farm buildings. After the flames were extinguished, the threat of wildfires has continued to cost farmers in other... more »