Apples

Reducing postharvest storage disorders, extending apple storage life with HarvestWatch DCA-CF

{Sponsored} Apple storage issues are numerous, from reduction in flavor and crunchy texture to disorders that form during storage such as superficial scald and flesh browning. Scientists have known for a long time that controlling... more »

$4.8M multi-state effort aims for easier bud-counting

For years, Cornell University’s Terence Robinson has advised growers to count buds on their apple trees and prune with a specific number of buds in mind. His pitch goes like this: Growers can increase revenue... more »

Apple forecast down slightly despite challenges

Despite obstacles brought about by a global pandemic, continuing labor challenges and damaging weather events, the U.S. Apple Association estimates the 2020 crop at 253.31 million 42-pound cartons. The association's forecast essentially equaled the USDA’s... more »

MapMyApple offers orchard organization, problem diagnosis

Commercial orchards are often a patchwork quilt – blocks with different cultivars, planted in different years. Varieties have different schedules with various bloom times and harvest times. A disorganized grower risks getting lost in all... more »

West Michigan tree fruit update

April 18: The warmer weather of late has helped to move tree development at a nice even pace with no explosion of growth for the most part. Michigan State University Extension Educator Amy Irish-Brown reports the... more »

U.S. apple holdings up from last year

According to the U.S. Apple Association, U.S. fresh-market apple holdings of 53.1 million bushels on April 1, 2017, were 13 percent more than the April 1, 2016, holdings of 47 million bushels and 7 percent... more »

Calcium improves tree health, fruit production

{Sponsored} It’s no secret: calcium plays a vital role in fruit production. It improves tree health and improves fruit storability and shelf life. Calcium is also important to cell health and cell wall strength —... more »

Reducing the risk of bitter pit in Honeycrisp apples

{Sponsored} Honeycrisp apples are the hardest to grow and the most prone to difficulties. Bitter pit, a disorder most commonly linked to calcium deficiencies in the fruit, is one of those difficulties. And it can... more »

U.S. apple holdings up from last year

The U.S. Apple Association has released its U.S. apple holdings report for March 1, 2017. According to the report, fresh apple holdings totaled 69.7 million bushels, 12 percent more than the inventories reported for March... more »

USDA will buy about 37 million pounds of apples

On Feb. 2, USDA announced a bonus buy of apples and apple products. The $15 million bonus buy will be for both fresh and processed apple products and should remove approximately 37 million pounds of apples... more »