Labor

USApple applauds U.S.-Mexico trucking agreement

The U.S. Apple Association (USApple) applauds the governments of the U.S. and Mexico for announcing that they have reached an agreement in principle to resolve a long-standing cross-border trucking dispute. Mexico has committed to end... more »

Researchers testing disruption devices

Since the first commercial pheromone devices for disrupting moths became available in the early 1990s, thousands of U.S. apple growers have been using these devices. In Washington state, between 80-85 percent of apple growers use... more »

Plantings are closer, denser than they were 50 years ago

Three Extension educators shared their thoughts on the ways tree fruit growing systems have changed in the last 50 years. Jerry Frecon, Rutgers University: In the 44 years I have been working with commercial orchards,... more »

Florida blueberry pioneer still planting away

For Alto Straughn, owner of Straughn Farms in Waldo, Fla., farming is much more than a business: It’s his life’s work. Not only has he been personally involved in agriculture for almost 40 years, his... more »

Cherry project launches website

In order to remain competitive in the global market, the world’s biggest sweet cherry producers have banded together to drive innovation along the entire production chain. The molecules-to-market project, called “A total systems approach to... more »

‘Card check’ plan offends farmers

For the fifth year in a row, California's Legislature will consider expanding the terms of the state's historic farm labor law, and farmers will oppose it. Visalia Times-DeltaTo read more, click here. more »

Horticultural crop sales grow 10 percent

Sales of horticultural crops increased by 10 percent from 1998 to 2009, compared to a 60 percent increase for all crop commodities in the same period, according to the 2009 Census of Horticultural Specialties, released... more »

Crop protection has entered a new era: IPM

Before examining the ways crop protection techniques have changed over the last half-century, George Bird wanted to go back a little further – 12,000 years or so. Bird, 72, doesn’t go back that far, but... more »

Governor makes changes to Michigan Department of Ag

Michigan governor Rick Snyder signed an order officially adding rural development to the Department of Agriculture.As director of the newly-renamed Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Keith Creagh has been charged by the governor with... more »

Apple promotion needed in international markets

Domestic per capita consumption of apples has been declining by about 1 percent annually for the past 20 years, said Desmond O’Rourke. Despite the domestic decline in consumption, O’Rourke sees tremendous opportunities for domestic growers... more »