Sprayer Calibration

Friday Mar 05, 2021

While the WSU-DAS system focuses on using pest and disease phenology to properly time pesticide sprays, it is critical that the properly-timed sprays are applied correctly. Without proper coverage, sprays will not serve their intended purpose, and growers may waste material, labor, and money, without getting the anticipated control.

Oriental Fruit Moth Monitoring Required for Export to Mexico or Canada

Monday Mar 01, 2021

All stone fruit packed for shipment to Mexico or British Columbia, Canada must be inspected and be certified as free of oriental fruit moth (OFM). OFM must be monitored with traps from first adult flight throughout the season.

Oriental Fruit Moth Management in Washington Orchards

Monday Mar 01, 2021

While Oriental fruit moth (OFM) has been a concern for Washington stone fruit growers for decades, infestations of this pest have only been noted in organic apple orchards in the lower Yakima Valley over the past few years. In 2017, damage from this pest showed up with a vengeance in several Washington orchards, most notably in sweet cherry and organic apple orchards in and around the south-eastern edge of Yakima County. While significant losses were noted in organic apples, the economic impact of the damage identified in cherry is currently unclear.

How Does Codling Moth Mating Disruption Work?

Sunday Feb 21, 2021

Mating disruption dispensers work by releasing synthetic pheromone which prevents or delays males from finding females, thus reducing the reproductive rate of the population. Now is the time to decide which dispensers to place in the orchard so you have enough time for ordering and to organize your work force.

Fireblight Prediction and Management

Sunday Feb 21, 2021

Many consider blight an apparently random curse, and part of the game a pome fruit grower must play. As outbreaks do not occur yearly, damage always seems to be somebody else's problem, until it suddenly appears in your orchard.