Good Fruit Grower

September 1

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6 SEPTEMBER 2015 GOOD FRUIT GROWER www.goodfruit.com Washington apple crop is down 10 percent W ashington State will harvest 125 million boxes of fresh apples this fall, according to the apple industry's first official esti- mate of the season. That's about 25 million fewer than harvested last year and 15 million boxes less than were shipped during the 2014-2015 season. All varieties will be down from last year, with the exception of Honeycrisp, which is forecast to rise to 8.9 million boxes, up from 6.7 million last year, and Cripps Pink/Pink Lady, which is forecast at 4.5 million boxes, up from 4.1 million last year. Granny Smith should be about the same as last year at 16.4 million boxes. The Red Delicious crop, still the state's No. 1 variety by volume, is forecast at 31.6 million boxes, down more than 25 percent from last season's shipments, and Golden Delicious should come in at 8.6 million boxes, also down about 25 percent from last season, according to figures released by the Washington State Tree Fruit Association. The Gala crop is estimated at 29.2 million and the Fuji crop at 17.2 million, both slight reductions from last season. Jim Flore named Cherry Industry Person of the Year M ichigan State University horticulture professor Jim Flore was honored as Cherry Industry Person of the Year during the National Cherry Festival in Traverse City, Michigan. Presented by the Cherry Marketing Institute (CMI), the award is given each year to individuals who have shown exemplary support for the tart cherry industry. Phil Korson, CMI executive director, said Flore has helped cherry growers remain on the cutting edge while also encouraging sustainable growing practices. "A person dedicated to cherry research and the advancement of science, Jim has been a visionary leader who has been instrumental in the industry," he said. Flore was born in Benton Harbor and raised on a fruit and vegetable farm in Bainbridge, Michigan. He received his bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees from MSU and has been a faculty member at his alma mater since 1974. Flore is currently working on a project to delay cherry and apple bloom by up to ten days in the spring to reduce the risk of damaging spring frosts. He is using a spray system to apply a fine mist of water to the trees. The evaporating water cools the tree buds, slowing growth and development. C&O Nursery restructures management T he board of C&O Nursery in Wenatchee, Washington, has restructured management of the company. Todd Snyder, formerly company secretary, succeeded Jack Snyder as president and chief executive officer. Jack remains chair of the board. Shad Snyder was named vice president, and Gary Snyder took Todd's place as secre- tary. Ty Snyder is treasurer. Jack said the changes were designed to ensure a smooth management transition. "It's always best to ini- tiate a transition when all is going well and an excellent team is ready to take the reins." C&O Nursery was founded in 1906 by Andy Gossman and was so named because it began near the confluence of the Columbia and Okanogan rivers. His nephew, Bert Snyder joined the firm in 1909 when the business was moved to Wenatchee. Bert's sons John, Bob, and Gene took over operation of the nursery in 1953. The company is now in its fourth generation of Snyder family ownership and management. QUICK BITES People and industry in the news. Read more Fresh Updates at goodfruit.com/fresh-updates COURTESY MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY Michigan State University horticulturist Jim Flore receives a framed copy of the 2015 National Cherry Festival poster from David Barr, festival president. Flore has been named Cherry Industry Person of the Year by the Cherry Marketing Institute. TJ MULLINAX/GOOD FRUIT GROWER Buckeye Gala harvest near Wapato, Washington.

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