Apples
Washington apple grower to pay $2.25 million in civil penalties
A Washington apple grower has been instructed to pay $2.25 million in civil penalties for hiring unauthorized workers.The Tri-City Herald has the details: Broetje Orchards LLC of Prescott, Washington, a major apple producer located east... more »
Three options on how to defruit young apple trees
Newly planted and young apple trees often set croploads that have negative effects to the vegetative growth of the tree in these early establishment years. Removing these fruits can be accomplished by three options as... more »
Dwindling options force more growers to use H-2A program
For years, agricultural employers and their advocates have been complaining about the state of the H-2A guest-worker program: It’s too expensive. There’s too much paperwork. It’s not flexible enough. And so on. Many hoped that... more »
Michigan still adjusting to crop losses of 2012
2012 was a bad year for many fruit-producing states, but none were hit harder than Michigan. An early warm-up followed by devastating freeze events killed roughly 85 percent of the state’s apples and nearly 90... more »
Supreme Court weighs merits of reserve programs
A group of California raisin growers is challenging a federal marketing order reserve program before the U.S. Supreme Court, and depending on the ruling, the case could have far-reaching implications. The case involves raisin grower... more »
Nealta registered for use in California
Nealta miticide from BASF has received registration for use in California. Nealta miticide delivers long-lasting control of spider mites at all life stages through a unique mode of action. It is labeled for use on... more »
Washington: Apple dumping reports have been exaggerated
Over the last few weeks, major news organizations have reported a historic apple dump in Washington state. Millions of pounds — and dollars — were reported lost.But according to apple growers and packers in the... more »
Codling moth back to normal in 2015
The catastrophic freeze of 2012 resulted in a near collapse of codling moth populations in most regions of Michigan. Codling moth (CM) populations remained suppressed through much of the 2013 growing season. Based on 2014... more »