Fruits
Students, grapes converge at WSU Wine Science Center
With classes underway, students and researchers have begun processing grapes for experiments on fruit maturity and irrigation at Washington State University’s new wine center. Nine courses started Monday in the $23 million Ste. Michelle Wine... more »
Rotating trellis boosts profits for blackberry growers
A U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientist developed a specialized trellis system to help blackberry growers boost profits. Agricultural Research Service (ARS) horticulturist Fumiomi Takeda of the Appalachian Fruit Research Station in Kearneysville, West Virginia, developed a rotating... more »
Could raisin case help Michigan cherry grower?
In late June, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of a California raisin grower arguing that government agencies should not be allowed to claim control of a portion of a crop. After hearing the news, a Michigan... more »
Orchards help slow Washington state wildfires
Washington grower Curt Cuelich lost part of his apple orchard to a fierce wildfire, but the flames couldn’t penetrate deep into the trees because of something known as the “green buffer.” The Seattle Times has... more »
Naturipe seeks a new blueberry harvester
Naturipe Farms is taking matters into its own hands concerning the blueberry industry’s need to improve harvest technology. The blueberry grower and marketer is challenging “creative technology minds” to innovate a better way to harvest blueberries.... more »
Apple Harvest Time: Managing pre-harvest and postharvest rots
The biggest disease concern this time of year is keeping fruit free of rots as they are nearing the home stretch of the season. The recent bouts of rain and prolonged warm weather are ideal... more »
DOL threatening hot goods injunctions in Washington state
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) is conducting inspections in Yakima Valley apple orchards. Inspectors have apparently discovered minors working in the fields, and they are threatening to impose a hot goods injunction, according to wafla. Wafla, an... more »
U.S. apple estimate: 235 million bushels, 14 percent under 2014 final crop
The U.S. Apple Association has announced its estimate of the size of the 2015 U.S. apple crop: 235 million bushels. The estimate was given during USApple's annual Apple Crop Outlook and Marketing Conference, held Aug. 20-21 in... more »