Fruit Program News

  • Gypsy moth!

    May 18, 2018

    Gypsy moth caterpillars are actively chewing foliage in orchards (where they occur) as can be seen here at the UMass Orchard in Belchertown. Do not be too complacent about gypsy moth, particularly young apple trees/new plantings. (They don't seem to bother stone fruit.) B.t. (Dipel, etc.) can be used to (eventually) control them, but must be used NOW when they are small, and it will take a while to work. Almost any petal fall insecticide (carbaryl, Imidan, etc.) will give quick knock-down and is highly recommended where they are doing a lot of chewing! For more information on gypsy moth, see the UMass Extension Landscape Message dated May 18, 2018. (Click on the Insects link.)

  • Small Fruit Twilight Meeting, May 24, 2018 at Ward's Berry Farm, Sharon, MA

    May 15, 2018

    Come join Sonia Schloemann (UMass) and Heather Faubert at Ward’s Berry Farm, 614 South Main St., Sharon, MA on Thursday May 24, 2018 at 5:30 PM. Guest speaker: Dale Ila Riggs, The Berry Patch in Stephentown, NY, will speak on exclusion netting to protect fruit against spotted wing drosophila and other pests. Sonia Schloemann, UMass Small Fruit Specialist and Heather Faubert, URI, will speak on current blueberry topics such as pruning, nutrition and insect management. Meeting is free with annual dues payment of $40, or $20 for non-RIFGA members. Light dinner will be served. Two hours of pesticide recertification credit available. Registration is not necessary.

     

  • Current Bud Stages, May 14, 2018

    May 14, 2018

    Current Bud Stages, UMass Cold Spring Orchard, Belchertown, MA. May 14, 2018

    https://ag.umass.edu/fruit/bud-stages/current-bud-stages-may-14-2018

  • Current bud stage photos updated 04/30/2018

    April 30, 2018


    Current bud stage photos, UMass Cold Spring Orchard, April 30, 2018. Photos by Jon Clements

    http://ag.umass.edu/fruit/bud-stages/current-bud-stages-april-30-2018

  • May Fruit Twilight Meetings Scheduled

    April 30, 2018
    May Fruit Twilight Meetings Scheduled: Tuesday, May 8 at Apex Orchards, Shelburne, MA and Thursday, May 10 at Foppema's Hilltop Orchard, Wilkinsonville (Sutton), MA.
    Read more

  • Pear psylla active in Massachusetts Orchards

    April 18, 2018

    Pear psylla adults have become active egg layers with warm temperatures in Massachusetts pear orchards. These pictures of adults and eggs on pear buds were taken last week by Jaime Pinero in eastern Massachusetts. Early season psylla control beginning with oil sprays is essential for season-long management. For more information see:

    Pear psylla in New England Tree Fruit Management Guide

    2-Swollen bud spray table for pears in New England Tree Fruit Management Guide

     

     

  • Current bud stages updated 17-April, 2018

    April 17, 2018

    Current bud stages updated 17-April, 2018, UMass Cold Spring Orchard, Belchertown, MA

    http://ag.umass.edu/fruit/bud-stages/current-bud-stages-april-17-2018

     

  • April Extension Fruit Twilight Meetings

    April 2, 2018
    April Extension Fruit Twilight Meetings, April 10, 11, and 12, 2018. For commercial fruit growers. Pesticide re-certification credits will be offered.
    Read more

  • Respirator Train-the-Trainer Course for Farmers, Beekeepers

    March 23, 2018
    Respirator Train-the-Trainer Course for Farmers, Beekeepers, and other employees who need to use respirators UMass Extension is offering a series of Respirator Train-the-Trainer workshops in 2018. Farmers, beekeepers and other who need to wear respirators, required by pesticide labels, can benefit from the workshop. Participants will learn how the fit test a respirator and select, use, clean, maintain and replace respirators. All handlers must be trained under the EPA Worker Protection Standard (WPS) Respirator Requirement if they apply any pesticide that requires a respirator. Several organic approved (OMRI) pesticides and some miticides used by beekeepers require respirators.
    Read more

  • Apple Crop Insurance Plan Information Collection Listening Sessions for Growers, Insurance Co. Staff & Agents

    March 23, 2018

    Agralytica of Alexandria, Virginia is conducting a review of the apple insurance plan on behalf of the USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA). As part of the review, Agralytica staff will hold listening sessions with growers, insurance staff and other interested parties in several states. For New England, the principal session will be on March 30 in Goffstown, New Hampshire. Anyone in western Connecticut and Massachusetts is also welcome to attend a session in Highland, New York if it is more convenient. The aim is to get feedback on how the program is working and how it can be improved. A central focus of the research is experience with and alternatives to the Fresh Fruit Quality Option, but Agralytica is also charged with reviewing current production and marketing practices in New England and identifying other issues that growers face with the current apple program. This is an opportunity for producers, insurance staff and agents alike to communicate concerns and possible improvements for consideration in the development of future apple crop insurance policy. announcement_of_apple_insurance_listening_sessions_-_new_england.pdf

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