Fruits

Agricultural groups hail passage of farm bill

Specialty crop advocates are hailing the U.S. Senate’s passage Feb. 4, by a vote of 68-32, of the conference report to the Agricultural Act of 2014 (2014 Farm Bill). The legislation now goes to President... more »

Michigan packer-shipper debuts $22 million facility

Heeren Bros., a family owned wholesaler, marketer and distributor of fresh fruits and vegetables in Michigan, officially debuted its new, $22 million processing facility in Alpine Township in mid-December. Heeren Bros. distributes a diversified line... more »

Apple pollination driven by honeybee management

Operating a flourishing family farm near Shelburne, Mass., keeps owner Tim Smith on a busy schedule. Among the important tasks is overseeing Apex Orchards’ apple pollination and honeybee management. Smith spoke about the topic on... more »

WSU research studies aerosol pheromone emitters

Research in Washington state has shown that aerosol pheromone emitters can suppress codling moth as well as hand-applied dispensers, according to Jay Brunner, an entomologist with Washington State University (WSU). Brunner discussed WSU pheromone research... more »

Committee reaches farm bill agreement

Top House and Senate agriculture committee leaders announced Jan. 27 a bipartisan agreement on a five-year farm bill that among other things would eliminate direct payments, revise commodity supports, enhance crop insurance, and streamline conservation... more »

Judge vindicates Oregon farms in ‘hot goods’ case

A federal judge has vacated consent judgments that were signed by two Oregon blueberry farms at the behest of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) in 2012. The judge’s decision was a victory for the... more »

New plant growth regulator registered

Fine Americas, a manufacturer and marketer of plant growth regulators for the fruit industry, recently announced the federal Section 3 registration of its new Blush plant growth regulator.Featuring the active ingredient prohydrojasmon (PDJ), Blush promotes... more »

USDA extends Arctic Apples comment period

USDA has extended the public comment period on the deregulation of Arctic Apples, which have been genetically modified to be non-browning. The comment period now expires Jan. 30. For more information or to make a... more »