Grapes

Kubota acquires Bloomfield Robotics AI startup

Kubota Corp., a global tractor manufacturer, has acquired Bloomfield Robotics Inc. Bloomfield is a startup that uses advanced imaging and artificial intelligence to monitor individual specialty crop plant health and performance. The Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based Bloomfield’s... more »

Latino winegrape education offered

The Washington Winegrowers Association (WWA) is working to help Latino vineyard workers receive education. WWA is partnering with Wenatchee Valley College and Yakima Valley College to present the Latino Agriculture Education Programs (LAEP), this year... more »

Virginia Tech celebrates 100 years of partnership with fruit and wine Industries

Virginia Tech marked the 100th anniversary of its Alson H. Smith Jr. Agricultural Research and Extension Center (AREC), which has played a critical role in supporting Virginia’s fruit and wine industries. The center, located in... more »

USDA expands 2025 grapevine crop insurance coverage

The USDA is set to enhance its grapevine crop insurance program for the 2025 crop year. The Risk Management Agency (RMA) will now cover grapevines grafted between six and 12 months old, reducing the grafting... more »

Growers optimistic on California organic grape season

Optimism is ruling in this year's California organic grape season. As California organic table grape growers size up their fall varieties, they are expecting good supplies that will result in improved retail promotional opportunities moving... more »

Oxbo partners with Fresno State on harvesting equipment

Specialty crop harvesting equipment manufacturer Oxbo is introducing nut harvesting machinery. Oxbo's partnership with Fresno State University will make Oxbo the official pistachio equipment partner for Fresno State’s 2024 pistachio harvest season. Oxbo designs and... more »

Winegrape smoke exposure website started

The West Coast Smoke Exposure Task Force (WCSETF) has launched its new website spreading information about smoke exposure. The site, wcsetf.org, houses critical information on smoke exposure for winegrowers, winemakers and others in the wine... more »

Growers appointed to Georgia commodity commissions

Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper has named growers to head Georgia’s Agricultural Commodity Commissions. The commissions include apples, blueberries, peaches, pecans, wine and grapes and vegetables. The following are the appointments: Apple Commodity Commission: Andy... more »

New research projects funded to boost rootstock resilience for California grape growers

The California Grape Rootstock Improvement Commission (CGRIC) has approved funding for five new research projects aimed at supporting the state’s viticulture and grape nursery industries. The projects focus on various challenges facing grape growers, including... more »

Intense heat stress California crops, growers

Crops, including grapes and melons, across California continue to take a beating as farmers work to reduce impacts of a lingering heat wave that has increased their costs and jeopardized production. With prolonged triple-digit temperatures... more »