This week, the cherry harvest began at Royal Ridge Fruits in Washington. Incentive and piece-rate payment systems are in place for all crops in the United States.
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From humble beginnings in 1962, with a few acres of prairie in central Washington, the Dorsing family has grown to become one of the largest cherry growers in the western United States. Today, Dorsing Farms continues to thrive in Washington's fertile Columbia Basin. Under third-generation family management, the farm has expanded to over 2,500 acres of conventional and certified organic sweet cherries, blueberries, raspberries, tree fruits, and other crops.
Agricultural labor contractors, growers, and traders share real-time data, enabling operations to maximize labor efficiency. PET-Tiger allows personalized payment calculations for individual workers and teams with multiple payment systems, improving employee management and incentives.
Field and office managers receive special real-time mapping notifications on production by variety and packaging style, as well as efficiency reports for harvesting and packing. The versatility of PET-Tiger allows customization and localization for any crop, geographical area, payroll system, wage order, legal compliance, operational policies, piece-rate, and bonus calculations.
A study in France explores the effects of ornamental winter fruits on Drosophila suzukii, an invasive pest damaging soft fruit crops. Researchers tested thermal regimes to evaluate survival, reproduction, and potential strategies for biological control and prevention.
'Thanks to the early blossoming this year, the harvest is particularly early,' explains Claus Schliecker, president of Landvolk Niedersachsen. He and his colleagues invest around EUR 120,000 per hectare to cover the cherry trees with rain covers and insect nets.
A study in three Israeli cherry orchards tests seismic sensors to detect Cerambyx dux larvae, track pest phenology and map infestations. Signals may reveal activity before visible symptoms and help target inspections, but further validation is needed.
In Tasmania, trials by the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture show GA₃ increases Lapins cherry firmness by about 20%. Application rate and timing affect fruit size and maturity as researchers examine how to balance quality, harvest timing and late-season markets locally.