Apples

NOP announces new organic rules

USDA’s National Organic Program (NOP) published a final rule Aug. 2 that addresses the use of three substances in organic agriculture, with specific limitations that would support production and processing of organic products.Effective Aug. 3,... more »

Washington tree fruit sustains significant damage in hail storm

Thunderstorm-driven hail on July 17 damaged apples and pears in commercial orchards on Manastash Ridge southeast of Ellensburg, throwing most of the fruit out of the running for the fresh market.“This is just devastating, very... more »

Minnesota ag report shows profitability of specialty crops

he Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA) released a new report detailing the financial performance of nine types of specialty crops in Minnesota.The report Minnesota Specialty Crop Farm Performance 2008-2011 includes enterprise data for apples, blueberries,... more »

Biotech apples seek approval

The U.S. government is now seeking public input on Arctic Golden and Arctic Granny apples, two non-browning varieties that have been produced through biotechnology by Okanagan Specialty Fruits Inc. (OSF), based in British Columbia, Canada.USDA’s... more »

Stabenow pushes House to pass farm bill

The U.S. Senate passed its version of the 2012 Farm Bill last month. Now, it’s up to the House of Representatives. Hopefully, House leaders will overcome the “partisan posturing” of an election year and do... more »

Feds OK help for fruit growers hammered by weather

The federal government Monday declared Michigan a disaster area because of damage to fruit crops from erratic spring weather, making growers eligible to seek low-interest loans.Sen. Debbie Stabenow, a Michigan Democrat, said USDA had granted... more »

New York apple crop takes a significant hit

Ken Nice has been growing fruit for 50 years and he’s never seen such bare branches on his apple trees during the growing season.“There are some trees with nothing on them,” said Nice, a Knowlesville... more »

SWD becoming more established in Michigan

The spotted wing drosophila (SWD) is an invasive pest of berries, stone fruit, grapes and some pome fruit crops. It is native to Asia but was detected in North America for the first time in... more »