News about United-States

Michigan: sour cherry crisis continues

Production

09 Apr 2024

A reduction in sour cherry orchards and processing plants is expected. "The cost of planting and maintaining the current orchards is high," says Tim Brian, president of Smeltzer Orchard Co. "and there are not many to replace them."

In Delaware (USA), advance in the study to combat Drosophila suzukii by releasing wasps

Crop protection

08 Apr 2024

The SCRI project involved entomologists in 12 states in 2022 and 15 last year. Entomologist Xingeng Wang and his staff maintained a parental colony of G. brasiliensis (G1) and redistributed it to 17 laboratories in the US for breeding and release.

Bacterial canker in cherries, bacteriophage viruses as allies

Crop protection

05 Apr 2024

Researchers from the Plant, Soil and Microbial Sciences Department at Michigan State University have been investigating the possibility of deploying bacteriophage viruses against bacterial canker for a few years now thanks to their specialisation in infecting bacteria.

Washington State University's insights for preventing bacterial canker

Crop protection

02 Apr 2024

The pathogen infects many plant species and survives on the leaf surface of many weeds found on orchard floors. It is known for being epiphytic, which means that pathogen colonization can occur on any plant tissue without provoking infection or symptoms.

Federal aid for Washington cherry growers: state of disaster declared

Production

28 Mar 2024

The aid is coming after the USDA granted a request for a federal disaster declaration. The decision means that farmers in 22 Washington counties and six Oregon counties are eligible for emergency loans of up to $500,000 each.

The potential of vacuum steam for the phytosanitary treatment of fresh fruit

Post-harvest​

26 Mar 2024

The USDA investigated vacuum steam as an alternative to methyl bromide treatment for fresh fruit. The ultimate goal is to establish heat treatment programmes that preserve the integrity of a product and completely eliminate target infestations.

Managing the harvest load is crucial according to Washington State University

Tech management

26 Mar 2024

Matt Whiting, WSU physiologist, encouraged farmers to consider crop load management as a 15-month process: from flower bud initiation in spring to harvest in summer. Along the way, farmers have tools to intervene.

An unusual winter challenges Michigan cherry growers

Production

13 Mar 2024

"We've had warmer weather than normal," says Trish Taylor, marketing manager of Riveridge Produce Marketing, Inc. "The trees are still dormant, but because of this weather, we think we might be a week early this year."

In Michigan, two species of wasps help entomologists in the battle against Drosophila suzukii

Crop protection

11 Mar 2024

The samba wasp and the ronin wasp have emerged as potential parasitoids. Researchers have studied the wasps and are seeking government approval to release them. The species have been found in the wild in Canada and the United States.

US crisis continues: Department of Agriculture indicates losses close to 50% in the Washington area in 2023

Press review

06 Feb 2024

Sweet cherry growers in central and eastern Washington faced devastating challenges throughout the 2023 season. Unusual weather patterns caused growers losses of more than 50%, according to the United State Department of Agriculture.