Growing with Cherries: Researchers
at the International Fruit Tree Association conference offered tips on producing
high-quality cherries.
By Win Cowgill (Reprinted from American/Western Fruit Grower, April 2008)
March 2007: 
IFTA
Quick Shot: Win Cowgill (left) congratulates his friend
Dr. Steve Blizzard, of Logoluso Farms, for receiving the International
Fruit Tree Associations "Hall of Fame Award" at the IFTA Annual
Conference Banquet in Visalia California on February 16, 2008. More...
More IFTA Quick Shots:
Blizzard Hall of Fame
Zee Stem cherries
2006 Apple Grower of the Year Recognized American/Western Fruit Grower magazine recently named Dan Boyer of Ridgetop Orchards in Fishertown, PA, as its 2006 Apple Grower of the Year award winner. The award, sponsored by Cerexagri-Nisso LLC, was announced in the August 2006 issue of American/Western Fruit Grower magazine. Boyer (center) was honored on August 17th, 2006, at the U.S. Apple Association’s Apple Crop Outlook & Marketing Conference at the Four Seasons Hotel in Chicago, IL. Read the Press Release.
August 14, 2006: Plum pox virsus detected in Michigan. Aggressive efforts are under way to manage the plum pox virus (PPV), which the USDA found in samples collected from a routine survey at the Michigan State University Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center (SWMREC) near Benton Harbor. More from the Fruit Growers News...
August 25: 2006: NYFVI Grant Helps Fast Track Grower Testing of New NY Apple Varieties. New York?s next ?big apple? will reach the marketplace quickly thanks to a New York Farm Viability Institute, Inc. (NYFVI) grant that is fast tracking grower evaluation of advanced apple-breeding selections from Cornell University. Project leader, Cornell Horticulture Professor and apple breeder Susan Brown says she hopes to identify two new potential varieties over the next two years and ?if the new apples are even half as successful as their predecessors - the Empire, Jonagold, Macoun and other varieties bred by Cornell, New York?s apple producers will harvest great fruit with a tremendous economic impact.? More...
FEATURE NEWS, May 2, 2006: Rutgers Cooperative Research
and Extension Award for Excellence presented to Win Cowgill Flemington,
NJ--Winfred P. Cowgill, Jr. of Baptistown, NJ was recognized
as a 2006 extension faculty recipient of the Rutgers Cooperative Research
and Extension Award for Excellence at the 13th Annual Cook College and New
Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station Awards Ceremony. The ceremony was
held on April 27 on the Cook College campus in New Brunswick.
“The
RCRE Award for Excellence is the highest award presented by RCRE Administration
to recognize excellence. The award is presented to individuals who have five
or more years of employment with RCRE and have exemplified excellence demonstrating
outstanding performance and creativity and whose work has had a positive
impact upon RCRE or on a local, county, state or national level.”
Winfred “Win” Cowgill has been a faculty member with Rutgers Cooperative
Research & Extension (RCRE) for more than 28 years. He has served as an
area fruit agent for the past 27 years and has served as the County Extension
Department Head at RCRE of Hunterdon County since 1990.
Cowgill has developed
the funding to create an extensive program of applied research to solve grower
production issues. His applied work on apple, cherry and peach rootstocks,
plant growth regulators, nutrition, planting systems and more form the basis
of a comprehensive extension program for apple and fruit growers.
Press release
FEATURE NEWS: Win Cowgill and Jon Clements receive IFTA Distinguished
Service Award. At the annual banquet, March 1, 2006, in Hershey,
PA, Cowgill and Clements were recognized as 2006 recipients of the International
Fruit Tree Association “Outstanding Service to The Industry & Organization” award.
This is a special award only given in years when outstanding individual(s)
are identified for this special recognition. Cowgill, Rutgers Cooperative
Extension, and colleague Jon Clements, Extension Fruit Specialist at Umass,
Amherst, were cited for their contributions to IFTA over the past ten years,
specifically developing an outstanding world wide web presence for the organization
and in bringing IFTA into the digital age. More...
Vintage Apple Quality Featured at the 2006 Pennsylvania Farm Show
An apple-crop post by Elizabeth Wahle, University of Illinois Extension Specialist, Fruits and Vegetables, announced winners of the Cider and Hard Cider Contests held on January 17th at the 2006 Illinois Specialty Crops Conference, which is in-part sponsored by the Illinois State Horticulture Society.
Congratulations to all the winners!
1st Place National Cider
Edwards Apple Orchard, Inc.
Ken & Barb Hall, Poplar Grove, IL
2nd Place National Cider
Red Jacket Orchard
Roger Morse, Dir of Operations, Geneva, NY
3rd Place National Cider
Uncle John’s Cider Mill
Mike Beck, St. John, MI
1st Place Illinois Cider
Edwards Apple Orchard, Inc.
Ken & Barb Hall, Poplar Grove, IL
2nd Place Illinois Cider
Curran’s Orchard
Pate Curran, Rockford, IL
3rd Place Illinois Cider
Boggio’s Little Mountain Orchard
Keith & Denise Boggio and Family, Granville, IL
1st Runner-up Midwest Cider of Merit
Honey-Hill Orchard
Steve Bock, Watermon, IL
2nd Runner-up Midwest Cider of Merit
Lost Creek Orchard
Gary Grissom, Greenup, IL
3rd Runner-up Midwest Cider of Merit
Edwards Orchard West
Michael Edwards, Winnebago, IL
Champion Hard Cider
Joe Ringhausen Orchard
Joe Ringhausen, Fieldon, IL
U of M introduces 'managed' apples to U.S. growers. For the first time, a “managed” apple tree variety developed by the University of Minnesota Horticultural Research Center will be planted in U.S. orchards in 2007, Minnesota Apple Growers Association members were told Wednesday, January 4, 2006. This, from an article in the Lacrosse Tribune and information supplied by David Bedford, Fruit Crops Research Scientist at the University of Minnesota Department of Horticultural Science.
Some apples may serve up more health benefits than others, new research indicates. Canadian researchers analyzing eight popular varieties found that the old standby, Red Delicious, and an apple called Northern Spy contain more disease-fighting antioxidants in their skin and flesh than any other studied. Red Delicious had more than twice the antioxidant activity as Empires, which had the least activity of the eight. More from the Seattle Post-Intelligencer...
'Snowsweet' apple introduced by University of Minnesota. The patent for the University of Minnesota’s newest apple has been named in honor of Dave Wildung, long time horticulturist at the North Central Research and Outreach Center in Grand Rapids. The apple that will be patented under the name Wildung will be known to consumers as Snowsweet. The name comes from its characteristics, having flesh white as snow and being very sweet and late maturing like its parent apple, Fireside. More...
August, 2005: Gary Mount named 2005 Apple Grower of the Year. With a nod to smaller apple growers, Gary Mount accepted the 2005 Apple Grower of the Year award at the recent USApple Association Outlook and Marketing Conference in Chicago. The award, presented by American/Western Fruit Grower and sponsored by Cerexagri, honors those growers who demonstrate excellence in production, marketing, industry and community involvement, leadership, and innovation. More...
July 14, 2005: This, from Brian Sparks, American/Western Fruit Grower Editor: "This month, the International Dwarf Fruit Tree Association is heading to China for a study tour of the world’s largest apple producer. The tour takes place July 11-26 and features stops in China’s two major apple regions, the Shandong and Shaanxi provinces, as well as other ag-related stops. American/Western Fruit Grower Senior Western Editor David Eddy is making the trip, and will be providing a first-hand, real-time account of his travels. Starting July 14, log on to www.americanfruitgrower.com and click on “IDFTA China Tour” to read up-to-date reports from David. It’s an in-depth look at apple production in a rapidly changing country that has recently emerged from isolation and closed markets to become the world’s leading exporter."
June 20, 2005: I must have been asleep (or busy!), but I just found out recently George Ing died unexpectedly last month. For a little east-coast apple grower, George, his reputation, and his 'Good Fruit' column were always bigger than life to me. I had the fortunate opportunity to visit with George briefly at his Hood River, Oregon home overlooking Mt. Hood during the IDFTA Summer Tour in 2001 (or is it 2002?) and found him to be friendly and every bit the devoted fruit grower, industry spokesperson, and humorist I believed him to be. See Good Fruit Online this month for a tribute to George. The fruit industry will miss him. JC
April 19: According to Art Agnello, Professor and Tree Fruit Entomologist, NYSAES at Geneva, a new issue of Scaffolds Fruit Journal for the week of 4/18 has been posted at: http://www.nysaes.cornell.edu/ent/scaffolds/2005/050418.html It contains the following items: INSECTS, Prebloom insects; ERRATA, Tree Fruit Recommends, Scaffolds 4/11 issue; CHEM NEWS, New fungicide registrations; PHENOLOGIES; PEST FOCUS; UPCOMING PEST EVENTS.
April 15: A new issue of the Illinois Fruit and Vegetable News (Volume 11, number 5) has been posted on the web according to Richard Weinzierl, Professor and Extension Entomologist. Department of Crop Sciences, University of Illinois. Contents include: Crop and Regional Reports; Upcoming Meetings and Programs; Notes from Chris Doll (fruit crop phenology, observations on apple and peach bloom, biofix for oriental fruit moth at Edwardsville, Promalin and Apogee, comments on thinning, orchard herbicides); Degree-Days; Vegetable Production and Pest Management; Fruit Production and Pest Management (preventing fire blight in apples and anthracnose in brambles; Oriental fruit moth development).
February 18, 2005: An interesting article in the New York Times about how McDonalds has become a major player in the produce industry, including apples.
January 7, 2005 : Winners of Apple Contest at 89th Pennsylvania Farm Show announced
December 13, 2004 : According to a USApple Press Release "The national movement of fresh-market apple supplies from storage during November 2004 increased 18 percent as compared to movement during the same period last year, according to the U.S. Apple Association’s (USApple) December survey of apple storage facilities."
July 10, 2004: A photo album of the IDFTA 'Honecyrisp' Summer Tour to Wisconsin and Minnesota has been posted on the International Dwarf Fruit Tree Association website.
May 7, 2004: A new issue of the Illinois Fruit and Vegetable News (Volume 10, number 7) has been posted on the web. Fruit production and pest management articles of interest include: codling moth, plum curculio, rosy apple aphid, and foliar applications of calcium nitrate.
March 4, 2004: Apples: Food for Thought? In a major media release by USApple and The Apple Products Research Education Council (APREC), the results of a UMass Lowell study have shown that eating apples and apple juice may improve memory and learning, and even protect the brain against oxidative damage that may contribute to age-related disorders such as Alzheimer's disease.
January 5, 2004: (BTW, Happy New Year!) Julia Stewart Daly is departing the U.S. Apple Association (USApple) after 10 years on staff to start her own communications company, USApple President and CEO Nancy Foster formally announced today in a USApple Press Release. Daly joined the then-International Apple Institute as communications director in November 1993 to head the association’s public relations, crisis communications, membership and trade press relations activities. We appreciate Daly's service to the apple industry and wish her all the luck in her new venture.
December 19, 2003: Rick Weinzierl, Professor and Extension Entomologist, University of Illinois, says "The most recent issue of the Illinois Fruit and Vegetable News, Volume 9, Number 19, has been posted." Contents include: Crop Reports (or perhaps just "regional reports" at this time of year from Elizabeth Wahle and Maurice Ogutu); Upcoming Programs (repeating some dates and events you've seen in earlier issues, also the Wisconsin Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Conference January 4-6 at Oconomowoc); Vegetable Production and Pest Management (a repeat request for observations on effectiveness of corn earworm sprays in sweet corn); and Brief Summaries of 2003 Research (fungicides for powdery mildew control in pumpkins).
December 15, 2003: The Winter Fruit Schools in Lake Ontario Fruit Region of NY will be held at the Empire State Fruit and Vegetable EXPO, Feb. 10-12, 2004 according to Deborah Breth, Cornell Cooperative Extension.
November 26, 2003: Rick Weinzierl, Professor and Extension Entomologist, University of Illinois, says "The most recent issue of the Illinois Fruit and Vegetable News, Volume 9, Number 18, has been posted." Contents include: Crop Reports (from Elizabeth Wahle and Maurice Ogutu); Upcoming Programs; Notes from Chris Doll (Notes from the Midwest Apple Improvement Association meeting); Fruit Production and Pest Management (Update from the Dixon Springs Ag Center); Vegetable Production and Pest Management (Asparagus rust); and Brief Summaries of 2003 Research (Weeds and ground beetles in organic transition, Callisto tolerance in sweet corn, nightshades in tomatoes, strip-till pumpkins, and tomato and pepper variety trials in southern IL). Of particular interest is Chris Doll's notes from the Midwest Apple Improvement Association meeting.
October 15:
TO: All Apple/Malus Research Workers
FROM: M. ELENA GARCIA
CURT R. ROM
RE: USDA Germplasm Evaluation Proposals
Date: 15-October, 2003
The Malus/Apple Crop Germplasm Committee (CGC) received notification that funding
will be available in FY 2004 for germplasm evaluation
projects. Therefore, the Committee solicits proposals of research to evaluate
Malus/apple germplasm. The funds awarded for these projects may range up to
$16,000 to $18,000. Typical funding is for a single year with a budget range
of $10,000 - $15,000. See Malus
Apple CGC Proposal Announcement for more information.
Deadline for submission is Friday, 7-November, 2003
Malus Apple CGC Priorities
Malus Apple CGC Proposal Format
August 27: A recent post to the apple-crop e-mail discusssion group by Dan Digiacomandrea of Bayer Crop Science announces Guthion Solupak label changes for 2004. Highlights include spray drift language changes, and some crop use cancellations.
July 25, 2003: According to a story in the Fruit Grower News, "a federal judge approved the proposed 3.5-cent assessment rate for the Washington Apple Commission (WAC) Wednesday. This settlement allows WAC to continue funding for USApple, the Northwest Horticultural Council, the Northwest Fruit Exporters, Washington State Hort Association and Tree TAC (Tree-Fruit Technical Advisory Council)."
July 2, 2003: The U.S. Apple Association’s (USApple) 2003 Apple Crop Outlook and Marketing Conference, to be held Aug. 21-22 at Chicago’s Fairmont Hotel, will feature national and world apple experts addressing current crop outlooks and marketing topics of importance to the world apple industry. Outlook 2003 is the premiere national meeting of the apple industry and provides attendees with the first look at U.S. and international crop and market outlooks, giving them an edge in the competitive global market. “Outlook 2003 is shaping up to be the premiere gathering of U.S. and world apple industry leaders this year,” said USApple President and CEO Nancy E. Foster. “With high-caliber presenters from around the world, attendees are guaranteed to receive the leading look at the global apple industry.” For more information on conference speakers and the topics they will address, see the News Room section of USApple’s Web site, at http:\\www.usapple.org.
June 10, 2003: USApple's June Market News reports "Fresh Holdings and Movement Lower than Five year Average -- Movement of fresh-market apples from regular and controlled-atmosphere (CA) storage durining the month of May, 2003 was 3 percent less than May 2002 and 14 percent less than the five year average for movement during the month according to June 1 survey of storage facilities conducted by the U.S. Apple Association (USApple)."
June 5, 2003: Rick Weinzierl, Professor and Extension Entomologist, University of Illinois, says "The most recent issue of the Illinois Fruit and Vegetable News, Volume 9, Number 7, has been posted." Contents include: Crop Reports, Degree-Day Accumulations, Upcoming Meetings and Programs, Fruit Production and Pest Management (Notes on codling moth and Oriental fruit moth), Vegetable Production and Pest Management Update.
June 3, 2003: Art Agnello, Cornell University NYSAES-Geneva Entomologist says "Issue No. 12 (June 2) of Scaffolds Fruit Journal is available and contains the following items: NY orchard radar pest predictions; Early summer arthropod management; IPM reimbursement opportunities; UPCOMING PEST EVENTS; INSECT TRAP CATCHES; and PEST FOCUS."
May 7, 2003: International Dwarf Fruit Tree Association Summer Tour to Kelowna, British Columbia, CANADA, July 6-8. More information and registration.
April 11, 2003: According to the Fruit Growers News, "The Washington Apple Commission has decided to fold, following its legal defeat over the constitutionality of its marketing and promotion program, according to a recent release." Read the complete story.
March 10, 2003: International Dwarf Fruit Tree Association Summer Tour 2003 to be in British Columbia, Canada this July.
February 17, 2003: Outstanding Researcher, Extension, Grower Awards presented at 46th Annual International Dwarf Fruit Tree Association Conference, Syracuse NY, February 17, 2003; Herb Aldwinckle, Steve Hoying, and Darrel Oakes honored.
February 11, 2003: The February 2003 edition of USApple's Market News says that U.S. fresh holdings of 57.2 million bushels for Feb. 1, 2003 fell 2 percent below last year, and declined 12 percent below the five-year average, according to the U.S. Apple Association’s (USApple) nationwide survey of apple storage facilities released today. “Fresh apple movement during January was in line with the lighter than normal fresh-market supplies,” said USApple Vice President James (Jim) R. Cranney. “Movement of fresh apples was good and there seems to be growing optimism about the balance of the marketing season.” Click here for the complete February 2003 Market News in Adobe PDF.
October 7, 2002: Fruit Loops, an article for Forbes ASAP by Edward Clendaniel leads "By tapping into the secret lives of cherries and apples, Washington growers are finding how sweet it is." Clendaniel continues "Ever since the pioneers at the turn of the 19th century marveled at the rare quality of fruit trees they planted along the stream banks of the Columbia basin, in what would become the state of Washington, orchard growers have thrived without the benefit of feedback technology. "Precision agriculture is still very much in its infancy, but almost all of the most successful farmers are beginning to use it in some form," says Pierre Robert, the director of the University of Minnesota Precision Agriculture Center and the man considered the father of the science." For more information, see the Technology Roadmap for Tree Fruit Production at the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission.
September 25, 2002: NY apple growers to ship their crop to Cuba, from the Associated Press September 25, 2002, 12:47 PM EDT, ALBANY, N.Y. - After a 40-year trade embargo, New York apple growers can sell their crops to Cuba. "There are 13 million consumers in Cuba that have never tasted a great apple like ours before," Peter Gregg, New York Apple Association spokesman, said. "We hope Cuba will quickly become one of our leading export destinations."
September 10, 2002: The latest Fruit Edition of the New Jersey Plant & Pest Advisory features articles on : Apple Maturity Update; Preloading NAA for Enhanced Preharvest Drop Control of Apples; Time to Spray for Bacterial Canker on Sweet Cherry; and Characteristics of Selected Highbush Blueberry Cultivars in New Jersey.
August 29, 2002: From the US
Apple Association, "apple industry leaders from across the United
States who gathered late last week in Chicago at the U.S. Apple Association's
(USApple) 2002 Apple Crop Outlook and Marketing Conference projected the 2002
U.S. apple crop to total 213.3 million bushels. While smaller than usual, fruit
quality and the varietal mix of this year's crop are reported to be excellent
from coast to coast, which should attract consumers and yield higher returns
for growers," USApple analysts said. More
information and US
Apple's 2002 Production Forecast (PDF Document).
August 22, 2002: At it's annual Apple Outlook Conference, the US Apple Association announced the selection of Nancy Foster as their new president and CEO. This news from the on-line edition of the Fruit Growers News, where you can find more information about Ms. Foster.
August 21, 2002: Apple harvest season has begun and one of the best ways to evaluate fruit maturity is the Starch-Iodine (SI) Test. For more information on the SI Test, see the August 20, 2002 issue of the New Jersey Plant & Pest Advisory: Fruit Edition.
August 13, 2002: According to The Fruit Growers News, "On July 17th, AgroFresh Inc. received U.S. EPA registration for its SmartFresh technology. It has also received state registrations in Washington, Pensylvania, Virgina, West Virginia and Ohio as of August 12. "SmartFresh is considered a breakthrough in apple storage technology. The product is used in apple storage facilities to maintain the crunch, juiciness and taste of apples during and after storage." For more information, see The Fruit Growers News article, or visit the SmartFresh web site.
August 01, 2002: Two new sweet cherry vartieties have been released today by Cornell Univerisity. "BlackGold™ and WhiteGold® will help fruit growers who want to diversify their operations by giving them two more options to expand their plantings of stone fruits," said Cornell horticulturist Bob Andersen. "We have new and improved varieties suited to growing conditions in the Northeast, and new management techniques to improve quality and yield."
July 16, 2002: According to an article by Win Cowgill in the latest fruit edition of Rutgers Cooperative Extension New Jersey Plant & Pest Advisory, the NC-140 research project "Rootstock and Interstem Effects on Pome and Stone-Fruit Trees" has been renewed for the next five years. Cowgill says "NC-140 is a world-recognized project that has played a key role in helping growers transition to high-density fruit production. "It has become the main source for replicated research and sound information on rootstocks and planting systems for tree fruit growers." For more information on NC-140, visit the NC-140 home page, http://www.nc140.org.
June 13, 2002: According to the Fruit Growers News, U.S. fresh-market apple movement slowed in May 2002 to reflect the nation’s dwindling supplies, according to a June 1 USApple survey of apple storage facilities .
June 11, 2002: The latest fruit edition of Rutgers Cooperative Extension New Jersey Plant & Pest Advisory contains articles on: fungicide programs for orchards with no crop; renovation of plasticulture strawberries; using clothespins for good branch crotch angles in apples; what to do now about fireblight infections; and upcoming meeting and crop informtaion for New Jersey growers.
June 4, 2002: The latest fruit edition of Rutgers Cooperative Extension New Jersey Plant & Pest Advisory contains articles on: Foliar Calcium Benefits in Apple; Strip Apple Leaders Now; Nematodes in Grape Vineyards; Lime Rates for Blueberry Soils; and Strawberry Update.
May 31, 2002: The Washington State University Tree Fruit Extension Team has released the first of several handheld computing applications for tree fruits. They include Palm and desktop database versions of the Crop Protection Guide for Tree Fruits in Washington.
May 14, 2002: The latest fruit edition of Rutgers Cooperative Extension New Jersey Plant & Pest Advisory contains articles on: 2nd North Jersey TwilightMay 10, 2002: According to an article in the Fruit Growers News, "Congressional passage of the Farm Bill was completed Wednesday, May 8. The measure includes $94 million in direct market loss assistance for apple growers and several other key provisions favored by the fruit industry." For the complete story go to: http://www.fruitgrowersnews.com
May 7, 2002: The latest fruit edition of Rutgers Cooperative Extension New Jersey Plant & Pest Advisory contains articles on: early peach season problems; apple thinning; rainfastness of thinners; thinning and return bloom oof Fuji apple; and more.
April 29, 2002: - From The Fruit Growers News, "House and Senate negotiators agreed April 26 on a version of the Farm Bill that would benefit apple growers to the tune of $94 million in assistance as part of the final farm bill. "Specifically, apple growers will receive $94 million in direct market loss assistance to offset a portion of the devastating losses suffered during the 2000 apple crop." Apple growers have already received assistance with the Apple Market Loss Assistance Programs (AMLAP) of 1998 and 1999. See full article.
April 18, 2002: According to a U.S. Apple Association (USApple) press release, USApple President and CEO Kraig R. Naasz today announced his acceptance of an offer to serve as president of The Fertilizer Institute (TFI), a major agribusiness trade association headquartered in Washington, D.C., that represents the producers, transporters and providers of fertilizer products. USApple Chairman Wittenbach also announced the selection of association vice president James (Jim) R. Cranney, Jr. as interim president. Cranney, who has worked with USApple since 1993, will serve in that capacity while the association conducts its search for a new president and chief executive officer.
March 21, 2002: Visit British Columbia orchards at IDFTA's Annual Meeting Orchard Tours photo album.
March 21, 2002: According to a news release from USApple, a strong bipartisan group of members of Congress (50 Representatives and 21 Senators) has urged House and Senate farm bill conferees to include $100 million in emergency market loss assistance for apple growers in the final version of the farm bill.
March 01, 2002: On the UMass Fruit Advisor, Ron Prokopy's 24th Annual March Message to Massachusetts Fruit Growers, with contributions by Glen Morin and Robin Spitko of New England Fruit Consultants. Since its inception, the intent of the March Message has been to summarize new information and offer thoughts related to the management of insect and mite pests of tree fruit in Massachusetts. Sections include 'General IPM Topics and Opinion,' Problem Pests: Their 2001 Activity and New Findings,' and 'IPM Manuals and Supply Services.' Always a pre-season 'must-read.'
February 28, 2002: At a growers meeting held at the Rutgers Snyder Research and Extension Farm, long time fruit grower George Melick was presented the "Outstanding Fruit Grower Award" for 2002 from the New Jersey Sate Horticultural Society. The NJSHS is the oldest Horticulture Society that is still active in New Jersey. Annually they select one individual statewide to receive their most prestigious award.Watch short video clips of George Melick interview. QuickTime Player required.
February 18, 2002: At it's 45th ANNUAL CONFERENCE held FEBRUARY 16 to 20, 2002 in KELOWNA, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA, the IDFTA 2002 Outstanding Researcher, Extension, and Grower Awards were handed-out during the traditional Banquet. These deserving individuals were aptly recognized by IDFTA for their contributions to the local fruit industry.
February 12, 2002: According to a Press release from the U.S. Apple Association "The U.S. Senate Feb. 12 approved an emergency agriculture assistance amendment to the farm bill that will provide the nation's apple growers with $100 million in direct ad-hoc assistance. Specifically, the Senate adopted an amendment offered by Sen. Max Baucus (D-Mont.) that allocates $2.4 billion in emergency farm aid, including $100 million in assistance to offset a portion of the devastating losses apple growers sustained in marketing the 2000 apple crop." It goes on to state "America's apple growers are experiencing the worst economic losses in more than 70 years, having lost nearly $1.7 billion since 1996, including an estimated $700 million over the past two years, according to U.S. Department of Agriculture statistics." For more information, contact: Harriet Pimm, USApple, (703) 442-8850, e-mail hpimm@usapple.org
January 23, 2002: According to an apple-crop post by Ed Fackler of Indiana, a one-day Workshop expressly for those beginning in commercial fruit production will be held on Jan. 28 at the Adam's Mark Motel, just off I-465 and near the airport in Indianapolis, Indiana. Among others, topics include: 1. Unique Cider Blends; 2. Equipment Needed in the Early Years; 3. Basic Marketing Concepts; 4. Varieties for Direct Market; 5. Pros and Cons of U-Pick; 6. Common Mistakes; 7. Rootstock, Pruning and Tree Training; 8. Pest and Disease Management Basics. The show begins at 9 am. If you need further information, contact Peter Hirst (765-494-1323) or Ed Fackler (812-347-0193).
January 21, 2002: You can now register on-line for the upcoming IDFTA 2002 Conference in Kelowna, B.C. CANADA. For the program, Conference lodging information, and to register, visit the IDFTA web site.January 07, 2002: According to an apple-crop post by Pat Curran, Vice President, Illinois State Horticulture Society, North American cider producers are invited to enter the National Cider Contest being sponsored by the Illinois State Horticulture Society in conjunction with 2002 Illinois Speciality Crop Conference. The conference will be held at the Chancellor Hotel and Convention Center, 1501 S. Neil St., Champaign, Illinois, on January 16 and 17. Cider judging will take place on the 16th. Entries may be hand delivered, or shipped to the Hotel and Convention Center. Hand delivered entries must be registered by 10am on the 16th. Shipped entries will be accepted by the hotel from January 13 through January 15. (Please mark CIDER CONTEST ENTRY.) You can enter the contest by submitting two identical gallons of cider in unmarked cider jugs along with a $10 entry fee payable to the Illinois State Horticulture Society (ISHS). The following information should also accompany entries: Name, address, and phone number of the orchard/producer; varietal blend of the apples used in making the cider (percentages, if known); the date the cider was pressed; a notation on whether the cider is fresh or previously frozen; and the name and address of your local newspaper. If you need any additional information, you may contact Don Naylor, ISHS Executive Secretary, at (309) 828-8929, or email him at dhnaylor@weekmail.com.
December 21, 2001: An apple-crop post by Joseph D. Postman says the website for the American Pomological Society has been updated and expanded to better meet the needs of pomologists and APS members. The site contains general information about the Society, its purpose, history and membership. Officers can be located and contacted, by-laws, membership and journal information is presented, and links to other pomology web resources are available. Tables of contents for recent volumes of the Journal of the American Pomological Society and Fruit Varieties Journal are listed along with contact information for new fruit and nut registrars. An archival listing of APS award recipients is available for pomology history buffs.
December 21, 2001: According to a recent e-mail from Don Schaffner of Rutgers Food Risk Analysis Initiative, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has announced (on December 21) the availability of a draft guidance document entitled 'Exemptions from the Warning Label Requirement for Juice--Recommendations for Effectively Achieving a 5-Log Reduction.' This draft guidance describes FDA's current recommendations for effectively achieving a 5-log pathogen reduction in juice. For more information or to comment on the draft guidance document visit FDA's Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.
December 18, 2001: An article in the on-line edition of Fruit Growers News says EPA has announced the 60-day public comment period and the availability of the interim risk management decision (IRED) documents for azinphos-methyl (Guthion) and phosmet (Imidan). Go to EPA's Office of Pesticide Programs for information and comment instructions.
December 11, 2001: The latest fruit edition of Rutgers Cooperative Extension Plant & Pest Advisory contains articles on: Pruning Blueberries; PPV and the Ontario Tender Fruit Industry; Near Record Crops for 2001 in California; Grapes - Drought and Potassium Deficiency; Bramble School & Greenhouse Raspberry Workshop; Fruit Sessions at Annual Meeting of NJVGA; Mid-Atlantic Fruit and Vegetable Meeting; IDFTA Annual Conference.
December 5, 2001: Shahrokh Khanizadeh has announced the introduction of two new winter hardy scab resistant apple cultivars being released by the Quebec apple breeding program (QAPB) located at the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) station in St-Jean-sur-Richelieu (Quebec): 'Galarina' is a 'Gala' type apple. It is very attractive, has a pleasant taste and an excellent shelf-life. The tree is hardy and the fruit and leaves are resistant to the common races of apple scab.'Reinette Russet' fruit mature in early to mid-October in Frelighsburg, about 1 to 2 weeks before 'Golden Russet', 1 week after 'Cortland' and at least 2 weeks after 'McIntosh'.
December 3, 2001: US Apple Association launches 'Apples for Santa' campaign. According to their press release, "looking for a creative tool to market apples during the holidays? Check out the U.S. Apple Association's (USApple) 2001 'Apples for Santa' promotion. USApple's Santa promotion encourages children to leave apples for Santa rather than a fattening sweet, for his better health. An innovative mix of product marketing and nutrition education, this promotion provides an attention-getting vehicle to sell more apples throughout the winter holidays - and highlights apples' healthy image in the process.
November 29, 2001: An Apple Variety Showcase sponsored by UMass Extension and featuring apple cultivars from Regional Research Project NE-183: Multi-disciplinary Evaluation of New Apple Cultivars was held at the UMass Cold Spring Orchard Research and Education Center.
November 27, 2001: According to a message forwarded to the apple-crop list by Dan DiGiacomandrea of Bayer Corporation, the Azinphos-Methyl (Guthion) Interim Registration Eligibility Decision (iRED) was posted to the EPA's web site today. The 60-day public comment period will begin with the publication of the Notice of Availability in the Federal Register (most likely this week).
November 5, 2001: According to The Fruit Growers News, the EPA recently announced new restrictions on the use of two agricultural pesticides, azinphos-methyl and phosmet on Nov. 1. Azinphos-methyl (Bayer’s Guthion) and phosmet (Gowan’s Imidan), were first registered over 35 years ago and are important pest control tools for fruit crops.
November 3, 2001: Honeycrisp.org is a new website dedicated to the growing, marketing and promotion of high quality Honeycrisp Apples. Honeycrisp.org provides a source for Honeycrisp Apple lovers to search for growers in their region of the world who are cultivating Honeycrisp Apples, find links to their web sites and e-mail addresses, and obtain general information about this exciting new apple variety.
October 18, 2001: Accorrding to a memo from Curt Rom, The Malus/Apple Crop Germplasm Committee (CGC) received notification from Dr. J. Scott Cameron, USDA Natl Program Leader, Horticulture and Sugar Crops, that funding will be available in FY 2002 for germplasm evaluation projects.
October 6, 2001: The Seventh Annual Franklin County Cider Day goes on for two days this year, Nov 3rd & 4th, in northwest Massachusetts. Special cider blends for fermentation, cider and cheese tasting, talks and demonstrations on cider making, grafting, pruning and home cheese making and Michael Pollan, author of "The Botany of Desire", talking about what Johnny Appleseed was really doing. For more information go to http://www.ciderday.org
October 9, 2001: "ALBANY, N.Y. -- Apple growers across the state are racing to harvest their crop before stricter immigration laws adopted since the terrorist attacks force workers to leave the country earlier." According to this Associated Press story, the attacks put fruit harvest in jeopardy as workers face deadline.
October 03, 2001: According to the Fruit Growers News, importers can no longer avoid paying Chinese apple concentrate duties, thanks to the U.S. Department of Commerce closing of the semi-frozen loophole.For the complete story go to: http://www.fruitgrowersnews.com.
September 12, 2001: Rutgers Cooperative Extension latest Fruit Plant and Pest Advisory is on the web. Topics include: Fruit maturity update for New Jersey.
August 21, 2001: 'Painless and Efficient Apple Maturity Testing' is a new feature article in Clements' Corner on the UMass Fruit Advisor. Directions and links to supplies for doing the SI Test for evaluating apple maturity are included.
August 21, 2001: According to the USApple Association, the 2001U.S. apple crop is projected to be down 15% from 2000. Details and a state-by-state forecast are available from the Fruit Growers News.
July 10, 2001: Rutgers Cooperative Extension Fruit Plant and Pest Advisory includes information on Dogwood Bores in apples.
June 18 - 19, 2001: IDFTA Summer Tour in Hood River, The Dalles, Oregon.
June 14, 2001: According to the Fruit Growers News, USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) is expected to begin distributing $100 million in market loss assistance to apple growers as early as Friday, June 15, under provisions adopted by the 106th Congress as part of the fiscal 2001 agricultural appropriations act (Public Law 106-387).
May 29: Issue No. 11 (5/29) of Scaffolds newsletter contains a lengthy discussion on lepidopteran pests in New York orchards and an update on plum curculio activity.
May 29: New Jersey's Plant & Pest Advisory–Fruit Edition includes articles on tufted apple bud moth, white peach scale, and a combined New Jersey/Pennsylvania Hort Societies sponsored fruit tour in New Jersey.
May 25: Cornell University's Art Agnello says Issue No. 10 (5/21) of Scaffolds Newsletter contains the following articles: INSECTS, Apple trunk borers; DISEASES, Canker diseases in stone fruits
May 24: According to The Fruit Growers News, the Washington State Apple Commission voted May 10 to let its consumer advertising campaign expire. The program has been funded by a 15-cent per box assessment for the last three years.
May 23: The most recent issue of the Illinois Fruit and Vegetable News (Vol. 7, no.8) has been posted on the web at and includes the following fruit production and pest management articles: thrips in strawberries, apple maggot, San Jose scale, apple aphids, grape berry moth, new reference on apple insects, update on fire blight
May 22: New Jersey's Plant & Pest Advisory–Fruit Edition includes articles on fruit IPM, strawberry root rot, and chemical thinning and return bloom on Fuji apples
May 15: New Jersey's Plant & Pest Advisory–Fruit Edition includes articles on borer infestation and control in New Jersey Apple Orchards and late apple thinning.
May 15: According to the Fruit Growers News, Aventis, of Lyon, France, has announced its intention to implement the divestment of Aventis CropScience by the end this year. The news comes as the company is reportedly selling several products, including an insecticide sale to Gowan.
May 11: Cornell University's Art Agnello says Issue No. 8 (5/7) of Scaffolds newsletter contains the following articles: Apogee as a fire blight tool; Cherry diseases; Confirm SLN label approved; Getting the most growth suppression from Apogee
May 3: Art Agnello of Cornell University says Issues No. 6 (4/23) and 7 (4/30) of Scaffolds newsletter have been posted and contain the following articles: [4/23] Using Apogee plant growth regulator; Brown rot of stone fruit; Early season apple pests. [4/30] Timing your use of Apogee; Evaluating bloom; Apple scab update; Fire blight; Messenger and Provado labels.
April 20: 'Cherry Training Systems: Selection and Development' (PNW 543) is a new Oregon State University Extension Publication authored by Extension Fruit Specialist Lynn E. Long. Detailed pruning and training instructions for the Steep Leader, Spanish Bush, and Vogel Central Leader are described and illustrated. It is available from Extension Publications for $3.00, or you can download the PDF version.
April 19: DuPont to Phase Out Sale of Benlate®
According to 'Today's
Headlines' on the DuPont website, "the DuPont Crop Protection business
is informing its customers around the world that it will discontinue the manufacture
of the fungicide benomyl and will phase out sales of Benlate® in all its
forms from the global market. No sales will occur after December 31, 2001,
and it is expected that all product will clear the channels of trade by the
end of 2002."
April 18: Art Agnello says the current
issue (4/16) of ScaffoldsFruit Newsletter is ready. Topics include:
DISEASES (Hudson Valley apple scab update; Geneva apple scab update; Assessing
scab ascospore maturity) INSECTS (Early season pear pests); GENERAL INFO (Recommends
erratum, Cornell IPM website); UPCOMING PEST EVENTS; PHENOLOGIES; TRAP CATCHES;
PEST FOCUS.
April 17: The most recent issue of the Pennsylvania Fruit Times Newsletter features a Simplified Tree Row Volume Table and a short Plum Pox Virus update.
April 17: New Jersey's Plant & Pest Advisory–Fruit Edition includes articles on Understanding Water Hardness for Spray Effectiveness (particularly important for using Apogee), Fruit Weed Control, and Pruning Grapes.
April 12: Glen Koehler, Associate Scientist, U Maine Cooperative Extension, announces an "Apple Spray Material Cost per Dose" bulletin is available and might be of interest to fruit growers.
April 11, 2001
Rick Weinzierl, Professor and Extension Entomologist Crop Sciences -- Entomology;
University of Illinois announces the most
recent issue of the Illinois Fruit and Vegetable News (Vol. 7, no. 5) has
been posted on the web. In this issue ...
March 11, 2001
IDFTA Summer Tour
to Oregon details and itinerary announced. WWWelcome
to Hood River Oregon.
February 19, 2001
IDFTA leadership
changes hands at IDFTA 44th Annual Conference Banquet.
Outstanding
Research and Grower Awards were also presented during the Annual Banquet.
February 3, 2001
Richard
Weinzierl, University of Illinois Professor and Extension Entomologist,
has posted the most recent issue of the
Illinois Fruit and Vegetable News (Vol. 7, no. 1). Contents include: Upcoming
fruit and vegetable programs; Notes from Chris Doll; From the Illinois Specialty
Crops Conference; Useful References for Fruit and Vegetable Growers; East-central
Region IPM Update (Organic Standards Act; seed selections); Univ. of Ill. Ext.
Specialists in Fruit & Vegetable Production & Pest Management. Of particular
interest are his Useful
References for Fruit and Vegetable Growers, including an Internet listing.
Final Cider Ruling Posted: Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point (HACCP); Procedures for the Safe and Sanitary Processing and Importing of Juice.
EPA Proposes Guidance for Labeling Pesticides Under the National Organic Program
Back to the Virtual Orchard