Apples
Pheromone-Based Approaches To Managing Pests
Many fruit growers are making pheromone-based mating disruption the foundation of their pest management programs. An estimated 500,000 acres worldwide, including nearly 175,000 acres in North America, are treated with pheromone to control codling moth... more »
Organic Apples Face Market Test This Year
Washington-grown organic apples have been coming to market at a rate of increase of about 30 percent a year. At Stemilt Growers, in Wenatchee, one of Washington’s largest packers of organic apples, the growth rate... more »
January Fresh Apple Holdings up 7 Percent from 2008
January movement of fresh and processing apples was 7 percent above the same month last year and 14.4 percent higher than the five-year average, according to the U.S. Apple Association's monthly survey of fresh apple... more »
The Light Turns Green
If everything has gone right, we should be about two weeks into a new administration in Washington and seeing signs of things to come. The key question is, progress or discord? I feel optimistic when... more »
This Farm Market Thrives on It
Completely surrounded by houses, apartments, a college and a state highway, Robinette’s Apple Haus & Gift Barn has no room to expand at its current location. Not that Ed Robinette is complaining about it. The... more »
Control Codling Moth Without Organophosphate Sprays
Azinphos-methyl (AZM, Guthion) has been the most-used insecticide in apples since the late 1960s, primarily as a control for apple’s key pest, the codling moth (CM). However, the decision by EPA to phase out AZM... more »
Codling Moth 101: Managing the New Tools and Methods
If EPA had had its way, the insecticide Guthion would be long gone by now. But for the last decade, the fruit industry has fought to retain key uses of azinphos-methyl, that old and reliable... more »
Michigan Fruit Production Down in 2008
Michigan's apple production in 2008 was 560 million pounds (13.3 million bushels), down from 770 million pounds (18.3 million bushels) in 2007, according to figures released by the Michigan field office of USDA's National Agricultural... more »
No Codling Moth Disruptions so far in Shipments to Taiwan
Washington fruit companies have passed the critical period of market-ruining codling moth discoveries in shipments of apples to Taiwan. (The Wenatchee World) more »
There Must Be a Pony
I’ve always liked the story about the youngster who, told to clean the horse manure out of a long-neglected stable, zestfully begins pitching, looking for the pony that must be in there somewhere. We hope... more »
Current Issue
Advancing research in biocontrols
Inflation, farm input costs shape farm market prices
Farm market pricing guide
Great Bear Vineyards’ organic journey
Organic Grower: Field Watch
A win for farmers
Business: Improve the odds
Farm Market & Agritourism: markups vs. margins
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