New methods to monitor productivity at harvest

Tech management

10 Jul 2024

The research conducted by Utah State University evaluated two methodologies for monitoring sour cherry yields: one incorporating proximity sensors to detect changes in the harvest tank and the other employing computer vision for fruit counting in real time.

With freezing problems behind it, Michigan expects a historic cherry yield for the 2024 season

Production

09 Jul 2024

"In Michigan, in particular, producers are looking at the largest harvest since 2018," says Lance Honing, USDA. "The national total number, 355,000 tonnes, could technically be said to be up 30 per cent from last year."

Kashmir (India): serious setback due to weather irregularities

Production

09 Jul 2024

Kashmir's annual cherry production is between 12,000 and 14,000 tonnes. Affected by erratic weather, cherry growers in the middle of the harvest estimate a 30-50% drop in yield compared to last year.

Michigan State University's (USA) response to climate challenges

Post-harvest​

09 Jul 2024

The Agricultural Climate Resiliency Program, launched by the Michigan Plant Coalition together with Michigan State University and the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, aims to address the long-term climate and water challenges affecting the state.

Using Machine Learning to differentiate sweet cherry cultivars by endocarp characteristics

Breeding

09 Jul 2024

The study focused on the cultivars Kordia, Lapins and Büttner's Red. The nuts were scanned and analysed. By examining textures and geometric characteristics, the study developed discriminative models capable of identifying cultivars with high accuracy.

Stellar packaging for Sweet Saretta® Piedmont (IT) cherries

Markets

08 Jul 2024

The campaign is now well underway and the production areas are trying to take advantage of the last moments of sales. Puglia is almost at the end of the season, Vignola is almost at the end, while the mountain and Piedmont area cherries are on the launching pad.

What is the best method for measuring flesh firmness?

Quality

08 Jul 2024

A Greek study on the Regina and Canada Giant cultivars involved the application of varying levels of compression according to fruit size. In addition to flesh firmness, sensory evaluations of firmness and primary metabolites were evaluated.

North West Cherries (USA): successful season with over 350,000 crates per day

Markets

08 Jul 2024

"More than 80 per cent of the shipped crop is 10.5 rows (26mm+) or larger. We are currently shipping over 350,000 crates per day, which brings the season total to 3,110,730 crates (until 19 June 2024)," says Northwest Cherries.

How the UFO system revolutionises farming in Central Otago (New Zealand)

Planting systems

08 Jul 2024

"At the end of the day, all we do is harvest light: without light, nothing can be grown and we have to maximise it," says cherry consultant Earnscy Weaver, who introduced a new cherry growing system in New Zealand.

Intellectual property challenges in the export of cherries to China

Markets

05 Jul 2024

Protecting intellectual property is key to maintaining competitiveness and sustainable growth. Registering brands and packaging in key markets such as China not only protects intangible assets, but also enhances product reputation and quality.