apples

Farmers will need to feed an estimated 9.8 billion people worldwide by 2050, and to help in that effort, Oregon State University researchers are trying to expand the use of robots in agriculture.  Joe Davidson, Assistant Professor of Robotics, said nearly all fruit is harvested by humans because robots don’t operate efficiently in unstructured environments.   "Not o...

Codling moth and the damage the pest can do to apple crops is well known by growers across the Pacific Northwest.  UPL's Katie Driver talks about her concern this year, and what growers can do to protect their commodity.     If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-9791, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsqu...

In this week's Focus On Fruit, Jennie Strong takes a look at exports and some of the top destinations, during your Washington Apple Update.     If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-9791, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@to...

In today's UPL Agronomic Minute, Katie Driver talks with us about apple scab, and what growers need to do to stave off the disease.     If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-9791, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@to...

What do growers, and consumers, need to know about the organic fruit industry?  We put that question before Mark Powers, President of the Northwest Horticultural Council.     If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-9791, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsqu...

The value of Washington’s 2021 agricultural production totaled $10.2 billion, a slight increase from the 2020 figure.  According to NASS, the value of Washington’s crop production in 2021 was $7.21 billion, down 3% year-over-year.  Meanwhile, the...

Industry experts anticipate the 2022 Washington apple crop will be 11% smaller year-over-year when harvest is complete.  But why is this year’s crop smaller?   The Washington state Farm Bureau’s April Clayton, an apple grower in north central Washington, said her crop is down about 33% this year.   “So, if you do ha...

While pandemic restrictions have been lifted, and the area is inching toward normal, the University of Idaho’s Sandpoint Organic Agriculture Center has announced it will host the Heritage Orchard Conference on-line again this year.  School officials say under the virtual format, the conference grew into an international affair for apple growers and researchers, drawing 20 times the number of parti

Day two of our Northwest Farm Credit Services’ quarterly commodity snapshot series, and today we focus on the tree fruit industry.  Bill Perry, Vice President at NWFCS said their 12-month profitability outlook anticipates slight profits for pear growers.   “The 2022-2...

In today's Focus On Fruit, we'll check in with the Washington Apple's Jennie Strong.     If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsquaremedia.com