Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/71703
QUICK BITES Read more Quick Bites at www.goodfruit.com T IFTA to manage research funds he International Fruit Tree Association has created a research foundation to manage its research funds. The IFTA Research Foundation will manage the IFTA Research Committee's request for proposals and will fund projects based on recommendations from the commit- tee. The committee meets once a year during the IFTA's annual conference to review pro- posals and decide which projects to fund. Ken Hall of Edwards Apple Orchards, Inc., Poplar Grove, Illinois, has been elected president of the foundation's board of trustees. The trustees have set a goal of having a million dollars in the foundation's endow- ment fund within five years. An endowment of that size would ensure that orchard systems research could continue at or above present levels of support in the future. For information or to make a donation, go to the Web site http://ifruittree.org. NZ Braeburn crop down T he volume of Braeburn apples exported from New Zealand in 2012 is expected to be down more than 25 percent from last year, according to information from Pipfruit New Zealand, Inc., which represents the country's apple and pear industries. The lower volume reflects a shorter crop of smaller fruit, attributed to cool summer growing conditions, but also to growers sending more of their crop to processors and reducing their risk, Alan Pollard, chief executive officer of Pipfruit New Zealand said in a press release. For several seasons, growers have received below-cost returns on Braeburns, even though the volume shipped has been steadily declining. The volume exported has dropped from eight million cartons in 2005 to fewer than three million predicted this year, Pollard said. WINDMILL SPRAYMASTER Two Sprayers In One, Low Volume & High Volume Combo - The reasons for the low returns include the relatively high value of the New Zealand dollar versus other currencies, and competition from other varieties, such as Jazz and Pink Lady, for market share. With the reduced volume of Braeburn on the market this year, New Zealand exporters were more optimistic. "Braeburn is an iconic New Zealand apple, and there is good consumer demand for it in Europe," Pollard said. "I am confident that this year's smaller than predicted crop will be sold at sustainable prices and that the variety will remain a key part of our international supply." Record NW cherry crop P acific Northwest cherry growers expect to harvest a record crop of high-quality fruit. Representatives of the Northwest cherry industry, which includes Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Mon- tana, and Utah, met in Richland, Washington, in May to compile the first official estimate of the season, which they set at 203,165 tons (20.3 million packed 20-pound boxes). A group of field horticulturists, who will continue to monitor the crop through the growing season, later revised the estimate to 217,322 tons. The 18 horticulturists from 18 different packing companies represent about 80 percent of the Northwest cherry tonnage. Tate Mathison, with Stemilt Growers, Inc., Wenatchee, Washington, said many of the state's producers are reporting a 15 to 20 percent increase in volume over last year when the Northwest produced 18.3 million boxes of cherries. Bing, the region's major variety, set a good crop of 6 to 8 tons per acre, but growers were seeing some heavy drop, Mathison said. Self-fertile varieties, including Sweetheart, Lapins, and Skeena, are producing crops of 10 to 12 tons per acre. The previous record cherry crop was 20 million boxes harvested in 2009. A Growing Legacy Since 1816 Available from Farmers Equipment Company, Your Only Windmill SprayMaster Authorized Dealer for Eastern Washington Cell: 509 391-0073 jlopez@farmersequip.com www.farmersequip.com Other locations in Lynden and Burlington 36 JULY 2012 GOOD FRUIT GROWER Shawn Debi Della Available from Farmers Equipment Company, Your Only Windmill SprayMaster Authorized Dealer for Eastern Washington It's never too early to get ready for next year! Call 800-435-8733 to order now, so you can guarantee best selection from our 2013 crop and take advantage of pre-bud contract specials. Stark Bro's Nurseries & Orchards Co. www.goodfruit.com