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Fruit Matters – Tree Fruit News – January 2026

NEWS

How Many Kinds of Pear Psyllids are There? And Where Did Ours Come From?

A surge in the importing of pear trees from Western Europe in the early-1800s led to psylla’s entry into the eastern US. This article examines these events.
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Understanding Listeria Behavior on Pears During Cold Storage

Listeria monocytogenes is a foodborne pathogen that can cause serious illness and mortality. Recent outbreaks in other tree fruits have highlighted the importance of understanding how this pathogen behaves on pears during storage. This article…
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WSU Cherry Breeding Program Update: New Variety

The Washington State University cherry breeding program, led by Dr. Per McCord in Prosser, WA, is releasing a new variety of sweet cherry. Currently known as R19, the new early variety will be the first…
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How to effectively remove cankers and associated pathogens in sweet cherry orchards

Effective disease management in sweet cherry begins with informed pruning decisions. Recent observations indicate that pruning at least five inches below visible cankers during hot/dry conditions, combined with proper sanitation can substantially reduce cut wound…
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Four different types of fire blight pathogen existed in Washington Orchards: What does this mean to growers?

It is often believed that the pathogen causing fire blight is genetically similar in every orchard. A recent study by Washington State University researchers found that this is not the case.
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Access the 2025 Apple Maximum Residue Levels (MRL) Report

The Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission (WTFRC) recently completed its 2025 study in apple. Access the report through the WTFRC homepage.
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WORKSHOPS AND TRAININGS

Webinar: The Past, The Present, and The Future of PACMAN: Key Advances in Precision Crop Load Management

All growers are warmly invited to participate in a nationwide PACMAN (Precision Apple Crop Load Management) webinar featuring nationally renowned scientists. After more than five years of scientific research and ground-truth evaluations, the latest PACMAN…
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Postharvest Discussion Forum – Tree Fruit

We invite you to the virtual tree fruit postharvest discussion forum on January 13th, from 10am PST – 11am PST. This meeting will serve as an open forum for industry members and scientists to discuss current pressing postharvest issues.
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North Central Washington Tree Fruit Days January 20-22 in Wenatchee

Join WSU Extension for the North Central Washington Tree Fruit Days on January 20-22, 2026. Events are in person and virtual, and can count for pesticide credits. Jan 20 is Apple Day, Jan 21 is…
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Fire Blight Fruit School

Join us for an intensive workshop focused on managing fire blight of apple and pear. The session will include presentations from experts on new management strategies and in-depth discussion.
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Biosecurity Meets Bloom Workshop

Join us for a full-day workshop dedicated to advancing strategies for managing quarantine pathogens that create trade barriers, understanding the role of Manchurian crabapple pollinizers in their spread, and exploring potential replacements. The program will…
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FIRA USA 2026

For the first time ever Fira, the premier Ag Tech conference and show will be in Yakima Washington. Dates will be the third week of October (exact dates TBD).
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EVENTS

Postharvest Discussion Forum – Tree Fruit

Jan 13 | Zoom Webinar

NCW Tree Fruit Days

Jan 20 | Wenatchee Convention Center

Apple Day – North Central Washington Tree Fruit Days 2026

Jan 20 | Wenatchee Convention Center

Stone Fruit Day – North Central Washington Tree Fruit Days – 2026

Jan 21 | Wenatchee Convention Center

Pear Day – North Central Washington Tree Fruit Days – 2026

Jan 22 | Wenatchee Convention Center

Manejo de Frutales

Jan 22 | Wenatchee Convention Center

WTFRC 2026 Apple Crop Protection Research Review

Jan 28 | Yakima Valley College Conference Center

WTFRC 2026 Apple Horticulture and Postharvest Research Review

Jan 29 | Yakima Valley College Conference Center

Okanogan Horticultural Society Meeting 2026

Feb 11 | Okanogan County Agriplex

Biosecurity Meets Bloom Workshop

Feb 18 | Confluence Technology Center Wenatchee

WTFREC 2026 NW Pear Research Review

Feb 19 | Confluence Technology Center/ Virtual

Fire Blight Fruit School

Feb 24 | Confluence Technology Center/ Virtual

Webinar: The Past, The Present, and The Future of PACMAN: Key Advances in Precision Crop Load Management

Jan 12 | Zoom Webinar

Artificial Intelligence: What it can do, where it is going, and key opportunities for agriculture

Jan 12 | Zoom Webinar

TEAM

Karen Lewis
Tianna DuPont
Dani Gray
Gwen Hoheisel
Marcella Magby
Manoella Mendoza
Claire Murphy
Bernardita Sallato
Tory Schmidt
Corina Serban

Thiago Campbell

EDITOR

The January 2026 edition of Fruit Matters was edited by Claire Murphy, WSU Extension.

Washington State University