FEATURED
Introducing Two New Tree Fruit Extension Educators
The Tree Fruit Extension Team is happy to introduce two new Extension Educators, Lexie McDaniel, PhD, Horticulture Extension Educator and Dattatray Bhalekar, PhD, Horticulture Technology Extension Educator!
NEWS
WSU Decision Aid System Update April
In early Spring, one of the most important models to watch is tree bloom. The apple, pear, blueberry, and grape models have all started; use DAS to check when bloom is predicted to start at…
What’s budding across the country?
Catch the first SPARC Orchard Roundup podcast for a roundup of phenology updates from PA, NY, WA, MI and ME!
Metamitron: A New Postbloom Thinning Agent for WA Apples and Pears
Chemical thinning can be tricky, even when you have a lot of experience with a given product. Here are some things we have learned in 15 years of research trials with metamitron that may be…
Watch for Fire Blight Risk
If we have warm temperatures and moisture during bloom be prepared to prevent fire blight infections. Consider the following reminders.
Plan for Multiple Fire Blight Conditions, Be Agile
With bloom opening and warm conditions next week be prepared to manage fire blight for blocks with different risk.
Using Insect Growth Regulators as a Tool in Pear IPM
Integrated pest management (IPM) uses cultural and biological as well as insecticidal controls and employs monitoring and economic thresholds. Insect growth regulators can be used as a tool as part of a pear IPM program…
Selective Codling Moth Programs in Pears – Efficacy and Impact on Natural Enemies of Psylla
If you are transitioning to a selective integrated pest management (IPM) program for psylla don’t forget to implement codling moth controls. Broad spectrum materials used in a standard psylla program often manage codling moth and…
2026 WA Tree Fruit Research Commission Grant Awards for Apple Crop Protection
For 2026, the WA Tree Fruit Research Commission approved $271,515 to help fund four (4) new Apple Crop Protection projects.
2026 WA Tree Fruit Research Commission Grant Awards for Apple Horticulture and Postharvest
For 2026, the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission approved $182,260 to help fund four (4) new Apple Horticulture and Postharvest projects.
OPPORTUNITIES
Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASFC) Program
The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) has reopened the acreage reporting period to give producers more time to complete 2025 crop acreage reports. Growers now have until April 24, 2026, to verify acreage.
USDA Organic Materials Comment Period Now Open
Sanitizers, calcium chloride, pear ester, and other materials important to organic tree fruit are open for public comment this month to the USDA National Organic Standards Board (NOSB).
WORKSHOPS AND TRAININGS
OSU Tree Fruit Economics Symposium
Join us for the Tree Fruit Economics Symposium on April 8, 2026, at the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center in The Dalles.
EVENTS
Apr 7 | WSU Yakima County Extension
OSU Tree Fruit Economics Symposium
Apr 8 | The Columbia River Gorge Discovery Center, 5000 Discovery Dr., The Dalles
TEAM
Datta Bhalekar
Thiago Campbell
Tianna DuPont
Dani Gray
Gwen Hoheisel
Marcella Magby
Lexie McDaniel
Manoella Mendoza
Claire Murphy
Bernardita Sallato
Tory Schmidt
Corina Serban
EDITOR
The April 2026 edition of Fruit Matters was edited by Dani Gray, WSU Extension.
