Fruits

Strawberry growers gain support in fight against soilborne diseases

Cal Poly San Luis Obispo’s California Strawberry Center has won a $1 million grant to fund research to combat soilborne diseases that harm strawberry plants. The California strawberry industry is challenged by numerous diseases, especially... more »

Michigan Apple Committee wins specialty crop promotional grants

The Michigan Apple Committee (MAC) has received grants to help that state’s apple growers improve marketing to shoppers and grocery retailers. The 2022 USDA Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBG) grants provide MAC $200,000 dedicated... more »

U.S. apple holdings down from last November

Fresh and processing apple inventories are reported down this year from the previous November, according to a Nov. 14 report from the U.S. Apple Association. According to USApple, fresh apple holdings on Nov. 1 totaled... more »

John Deere introduces tractors for orchards, vineyards

John Deere is widening its lineup of specialty tractors designed for work in narrow orchards and vineyards with the addition of the new 5EN and 5ML Series. The popular 5EN from the past is back... more »

Ag tech on display at European machinery show

The European Union’s goal to reduce pesticide use by 50% by 2030 has ramped up the technology race for specialty crop growers in the EU. That new technology was on display at the 45th edition... more »

Pink Lady apple breeder honored

Apple industry people paid tribute to John Cripps, the apple breeder who developed the Cripps Pink apple, marketed as Pink Lady. At the Nov. 1 International Pink Lady Alliance (IPLA) conference in Bangkok, Thailand, Cripps,... more »

Best crop management practices for apple growers

In order to grow high-quality apples, growers must understand proper management practices, rootstock selections and more. Fruit growers will learn about this topic, among other fruit sessions, at the 2022 Great Lakes Fruit, Vegetable and... more »

USDA specialty crop, organic insurance to expand

Through upgrades and expansions of current U.S. Department of Agriculture crop insurance policies, including policies for specialty crop and organic crops, there have never been better or more reasonable opportunities for growers to manage their... more »