Equipment

Sweet cherry production down 22 percent

United States sweet cherry production in 2013 is estimated at 331,520 tons, down 22 percent from 2012, according to a report released March 17 by USDA.The cherry crop in the Northwest region experienced cold, blustery... 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 »

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 »

USDA surveying on-farm irrigation practices

USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is conducting the national Farm and Ranch Irrigation Survey. Farmers, ranchers and horticulture producers across the United States will begin receiving the survey this week in the mail, asking... more »

Cranberry research seeks longer shelf life

A new adjunct professor at Washington State University (WSU) is trying to find ways to extend the cranberry season beyond the fall and winter holidays. Frank Caruso recently retired after 28 years at the University... more »

March workshops will study irrigation

To assist current and future irrigators, Michigan State University Extension is planning several daylong irrigation workshops across the state in 2014. Three workshops of specific interest to fruit and vegetable growers (but all irrigators and... more »

Washington tree fruit groups considering merger

Four tree fruit organizations in Washington state are considering merging into one, and officially announced their intentions in December, during the annual meeting of the Washington State Horticultural Association (WSHA).The merger of WSHA, the Washington... more »

Efficiency, quality improve with new cherry packing lines

Stemilt Growers’ new cherry packing line at the company’s facility in Wenatchee, Wash., is already paying dividends by trimming labor costs and allowing operators to capture fruit sizes more accurately, according to company officials. Stemilt... more »

Minimum wage hike will hurt California growers

On top of all the other pressures California fruit growers are facing – rising input costs, labor shortages and tightening water supplies – they are now looking at a $2-per-hour hike in the state’s minimum... more »

Apple grower tests harvester in real-world conditions

A mechanical harvester that’s been in development for years finally got some experience operating during a full apple-harvest season, bringing its designers another step closer to selling the machine on the marketplace. It was early... more »