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www.goodfruit.com GOOD FRUIT GROWER MARCH 1, 2015 5 Online tool aids in pest management M ichigan State University has launched a new online search engine tool to help tree fruit growers identify diseases, insects, mites, and beneficial insects. The new tool can be found at www.ipm.msu.edu/search. Dr. Julianna Wilson, MSU's tree fruit integrated pest management outreach specialist, said the content on the site is based largely on the content of the Tree Fruit Field Guide of Insect, Mite, and Disease Pests and Natural Enemies of Eastern North America. Lead author on that book is Cornell University entomologist Art Agnello. It was published in 2006 and costs $38 to purchase from Cornell's Plant and Life Sciences Publishing. On the new website, there are more than 90 entries in the insect category, about 80 in diseases, and about 20 groups of beneficial insects found on apples, cherries, peaches, pears, and plums. The tool can be used several ways. Entering the name of the creature will take you directly to the page devoted to it. Searching by category provides a list of all insects, diseases, or beneficials on the web- site, with small photographs. Clicking on one brings up the page with more details. Photos show the pest or beneficial at its various life stages and symptoms of damage. A third way helps identify the insect or disease according to its location on the plant, plant stage of development, and type of crop. Wilson is looking for feedback so the tool can be updated and improved. Gillisons make first in-kind donation R on and Dianne Gillison, owners of Gillison's Variety Fabrication, which designs and builds machinery for the fruit industry, were recognized as being the first allied industry in Michigan to make an in-kind contribution through a program with the new Michigan Tree Fruit Commission. They are contributing an orchard sprayer—"of the design of their choice," Ron said— to the Northwest Michigan Horticulture Research Station. Under the new Michigan Tree Fruit Commission, cherry, apple, peach, and plum growers pay into a fund designed to provide financial support for the fruit industry research infrastructure. In its first year, the commission collected $800,000. The commission vowed to seek an equal match from the state legislature and to obtain in-kind support from allied industries like machine and chemical companies. The Gillisons were the first to respond. The company, which started operations in 1977, has facilities in Traverse City, Hart, and Benzonia, and employs 40 people, including the Gillisons' two sons, Matt and Craig. The company makes and sells hedg- ers, forklifts, harvesters, bin dumpers, mowers, grapples, planters, sprayers, and other equipment. New association elects board T he Washington State Tree Fruit Association has announced the election of the following people to its board: For a one-year term: Jeff Pheasant (independent grower, north), Morgan Rowe (independent grower, south), Gary Snyder (at-large grower), Jordan Matson (packer, south). For a two-year term: Kevin Knight (independent grower, south), West Mathison (packer, north), Dan Plath (packer, south), and Robert Kershaw (marketer). For a three-year term: Mark Stennes (independent grower, north), Jose Ramirez (independent grower, south), Sam Godwin (at-larger grower), Jim Colbert (packer, north), and Sean Gilbert (packer, south). Corrections: Wrong numbers —Tim and Cindy Ward of Eastman's Antique Apples of Midland, Michigan, have 12 acres of orchard. Their acreage was incorrectly stated in the article "Good times for hard cider" in the February 1 issue of Good Fruit Grower. —In the article "Michigan crowns new Apple Queen for 2015" in the January 15 issue, scholarship details were incorrect. The Michigan Apple Committee pro- vided a $5,000 scholarship to the Apple Queen and $1,500 to the runner-up. The Michigan State Horticultural Society awarded $1,000 scholarships to the queen and runner-up. Good Fruit Grower regrets the errors. !$###$" % % # &%&&&%&"!!&&% &&$$""! We ship nationwide, so please call for price and availability! Time TO PLAN! • 2016 Sleepy Eyes • 2018 Tree Needs PAUL TVERGYAK 509-669-0689 ptvergyak@genext.net CONTRACTS for 2015 and beyond! Custom Contracted Apple, Pear, Cherry & Peach Trees ✔TOP QUALITY ✔VIRUS TESTED ✔VERY COMPETITIVE PRICING HIGHEST QUALITY FRUIT TREES ! Call for: • TREES • ROOTSTOCK • INTERSTEMS • BENCH GRAFTS • SLEEPING EYES • ROYALTIES QUICK BITES People and industry in the news. Read more Fresh Updates at goodfruit.com/fresh-updates