Equipment

High-density Orchards, Dwarfing Rootstocks Gaining Popularity

High-density apple orchards on dwarfing rootstocks have become common in many apple growing regions of the world. This has allowed apple growers to achieve earlier production, higher production and better fruit quality than previously. However,... more »

Scheduling Achieves Agronomic Benefits Beyond Production

South Tyrol’s apple growing area extends to more than 44,400 acres, with virtually all this area being equipped with irrigation. Irrigation is in fact one of the pre-requisites for commercial apple production, although the amount... more »

Family Makes Its Mark with Dried Cherries, Chocolate

Mike and Marsh Shadbolt are not your typical Oregon sweet cherry growers. In fact, the couple is one of a kind. For starters, the Shadbolts, owners of Cherry Country in the Eola Hills west of... more »

Grower Finds Success At Supermarkets

From mid-May until the end of June, blueberries fly out of the packing plant at Sweet Berry Farms. In those six weeks, three million pounds of blueberries will be sold, bringing in the whole year’s... more »

Irrigation Outlook Mixed

The irrigation outlook for 2005 is better than it has been in years, at least in Colorado. The last few years, water levels have been low due to drought, but local growers are hoping the... more »

Grape Grower Optimistic About 2005

What Michigan Niagara and Concord juice grape growers need is a really good year. For many of them, it’s been four bad years running. For grower Bill Schultz, near Mattawan: “Grapes used to be my... more »

State Apple Industries Debate Mandatory Pasteurization

Should all apple cider be pasteurized? The answer to that question has caused divisions within the U.S. apple industry. Some see it as a safety issue, while others see the interests of large producers vying... more »

Oklahoma Grower Shares Tips and Sound Techniques

Lavon Williams has been growing blueberries for only a year, but he’s already learned enough to show other people how to do it. On June 11, Williams will host a group from the Kerr Center... more »

Thousands drive for miles to visit Edwards Apple Orchard

It’s 80 snarled-traffic miles from Chicago to the corn and soybean fields around Rockford, Ill., but lots of people make the trek, sometimes several times, between Labor Day and Thanksgiving. And it’s not to look... more »

Customer Care Is Tops At Rudd Strawberry Farm

When the state commissioner of agriculture chooses to purchase his strawberries from your farm, you know you’re doing something right. Steve Troxler, North Carolina’s top elected ag official, dropped by Rudd Farm in May to... more »