Lake Ontario Fruit Program Enrollment

Program Areas

  • Food Safety
  • Variety Evaluation
  • Market Development
  • Pest Management
  • Cultural Practices

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  • Direct Mailings
  • Educational Meetings & Conferences
  • In-Field Educational Opportunities
  • On-Farm Research Trials

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Apples

Apples There are 11.6 million apple trees in NY (according to the 2011 USDA tree survey): Wayne County has 5.2 million trees,  Orleans has 1.7 million, Niagara has 572,000, Monroe has 213,632, and Oswego has 157,808. In these counties, there are 259 apple farms growing 26,446 acres.  This is 63% of the acreage in the state. Modern planting systems range from 600 to 2000 trees per acre and are supported by a trellis system or individual tree supports.  The common varieties grown include McIntosh, Empire, Red Delicious, Rome, Idared, Cortland, Gala, Golden Delicious, Jonagold, Crispin, Honeycrisp, Macoun, Gingergold,and more.  There are new varieties released from the Cornell Breeding program including SnapDragon and RubyFrost.  Autumn Crisp is also a Cornell variety. 

For more information, go to Cornell Fruit Resources: Tree Fruit.

A New Requirement for Small Businesses (Including Most Farms):

Last Modified: November 26, 2024

A New Requirement for Small Businesses (Including Most Farms): Filing a Beneficial Ownership Report with the Department of the Treasury. Deadline is January 1, 2025


The Use of PGR's Near Harvest in 2024

Craig Kahlke, Team Leader, Fruit Quality Management
Lake Ontario Fruit Program

Last Modified: August 22, 2024

Tree Decline Survey

Last Modified: June 6, 2024

Please consider taking this survey, even if you haven't observed apple decline in your orchard blocks! 


Precision Apple Crop Load MANagement - PACMAN

Last Modified: January 29, 2024

PACMAN Research and Extension teams are entering their forth year of the USDA/NIFA/SCRI funded research and Extension project titled "Precision Crop Load Management for Apples".  See what they have learned about vision based technologies and potential management implications 


2024 Western NY Fruit Conference Materials

Last Modified: January 17, 2024

Presentations can be found in pdf format here after the conference, pending publication permission from author.


2023 Virtual Orchard Meetup Summer Series: Managing the Uncontrollable

Last Modified: November 8, 2023

Recordings available on the Lake Ontario Fruit Program YouTube Channel.


SOP to Clean & Sanitize Apple Picking Bags

Craig Kahlke, Team Leader, Fruit Quality Management
Lake Ontario Fruit Program

Last Modified: March 10, 2023

This is an SOP to clean and sanitize apple picking bags, developed by the Produce Safety Alliance, The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets, and the Lake Ontario Fruit Program of Cornell Cooperative Extension.


2023 Western NY Fruit Conference Materials

Last Modified: March 8, 2023

Conference presentations can be found in pdf format here, pending publication permission from author.


Local Fruit Industry Employment Opportunities

Last Modified: January 12, 2023

The Lake Ontario Fruit Program would like to offer this space on our website to help the local fruit industry bring future employers and employees together.  If you are looking for a local fruit industry job click on more details to see what is available. 


Past Webinar Recording Links

Last Modified: March 28, 2022

Check here for Lake Ontario Fruit Program hosted and/or promoted educational webinars that have been recorded and received permission for open publication.


Mechanical Blossom Thinning Video

Last Modified: March 8, 2022

Mechanical blossom thinning video and story.


NEWA 3.0 Workshop

Last Modified: March 8, 2022

The new NEWA 3.0 system is online (https://newa.cornell.edu/), and 2022 will be the first year when you will not be able to use the old version. If you have not yet looked at the new website, or if you have looked at it but weren't sure how to best use it, the "NEWA 3.0 Tutorial Online Workshop" is perfect for you.


CCA Credits for 2022 Cornell NYS Tree Fruit Conference

Craig Kahlke, Team Leader, Fruit Quality Management
Lake Ontario Fruit Program

Last Modified: January 26, 2022

CCA Sign In Sheets for 2022 Cornell NYS Tree Fruit Conference


Subscribe Now for Harvest Maturity Reports!

Craig Kahlke, Team Leader, Fruit Quality Management
Lake Ontario Fruit Program

Last Modified: August 17, 2021

Now is the time to renew your subscriptions to the Harvest Maturity Reports if you have not done so. Your $75 subscription (if in the Lake Ontario Fruit Program partner counties of Niagara, Monroe, Orleans, Oswego and Wayne) gets you critical information on a weekly basis during apple harvest. Fruit samples are collected early in the week from across the region and sampled for internal ethylene concentration, firmness, starch/iodine, and total soluble solids. Results are summarized and recommendations for harvest windows of major apple and pear varieties are either faxed or emailed to subscribers late in the week. Satellite subscribers outside of the four county regions can receive reports as well, for $100.


Honeycrisp Meetup Recordings

Last Modified: June 23, 2021

2021 Honeycrisp meetup meeting recordings available.


Managing Fire Blight in 2021

Last Modified: May 3, 2021

2020 fire blight season recap and a 2021 season out look, including forecasting and guidelines for management.


Spring Meeting Resources for 2021

Last Modified: April 27, 2021
Spring Meeting Resources for 2021

Resources from the 2021 spring meetings in recorded webinar, and video format will be linked here as they become available. 


Winter pruning to manage fire blight (while continuing to grow the trees)

Last Modified: February 23, 2021

Winter pruning is always an important time to begin your fire blight management program for the season, and this year especially much so. Winter canker removal could make the difference for you between starting spring 2021 with "normal" fire blight pressure, versus potentially giving yourself a handicap by keeping around lingering bacteria from last year's difficult season.

Here we discuss some reminders of how and when to prune for fire blight management, and some tips for how to continue to grow the trees in areas with more severe damage.


Lake Ontario Fruit Webinar Recording & Video Links

Last Modified: July 10, 2020

Check Out Details for Links to recent LOF webinar recordings & video series.


LOF Fruit Bites

Last Modified: July 10, 2020

See details to check out quick "how to" videos on a variety of fruit and orchard topics.


LOF Summer Fruit Series Webinar Videos

Last Modified: June 30, 2020

Find the recording videos and pdfs of presentations from the Summer Fruit Series webinars.


Agricultural related podcasts by Cornell CALS, CCE, & ENYCH

Last Modified: June 18, 2020

Check out these podcasts.


Asian Giant Hornet

Last Modified: May 13, 2020

Link to details about the recent "invasion".


Spring Meeting Resources

Last Modified: May 11, 2020
Spring Meeting Resources

Resources from the 2020 spring meetings in pdf.  The recorded webinar in video format will be linked here as they become available. 


2020 Pruning Video now Available

Last Modified: April 6, 2020

CCE prioritizes the health, safety and well-being of the communities we serve. Given the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, and due to an abundance of caution, the Pruning Workshops at both locations on March 23rd and 25th were cancelled.  However, tall spindle pruning focused on Honeycrisp, and including basic principles that can be used in any tall spindle orchard content has been made available through video format on the Lake Ontario Fruit Program YouTube Channel.


2020 Lake Ontario Winter Fruit School

Last Modified: February 17, 2020

This all day event provided 2 near-identical programs available on the West and East sides of Rochester on consecutive days.  We are featured an intensive Precision Honeycrisp management school in addition to updates on Labor, Fruit Farm Business Summary, as well as pests and diseases, including European Cherry Fruit Fly.  Pdfs for most of the presentations are now available.


New Tree Fruit Business Blog

Last Modified: January 13, 2020

New Tree Fruit Business Blog. This site is a place to organize resources for the business of growing tree fruit.


Storage Workshop Key Takeaways

Craig Kahlke, Team Leader, Fruit Quality Management
Lake Ontario Fruit Program

Last Modified: August 28, 2019

Mike Basedow and Dan Donahue, CCE Eastern NY Commercial Horticulture 

    We both attended Chris Watkin's Cornell Storage Workshop in Ithaca on August 8th, 2019, and thought we would share the main takeaways. We've included some recent recommendations for Honeycrisp, Gala, NY-1, NY-2, Mac, Cortland, and Empire, along with a quick comparison of utilizing dynamic controlled atmosphere (DCA) storage and 1-MCP.


Reflective Ground Cover For Coloring Apples At Harvest: Could Yield Revenue

Position Open, Business Management Specialist
Lake Ontario Fruit Program

Last Modified: June 20, 2019

Reflective ground cover has been used in fruit-growing regions for a number of years now. The Lake Ontario Fruit Team conducted a field trial in 2018 of reflective ground cover at two Wayne County farms. The infographic contains information about reflective groundcovers including the quality and economic benefits found in the study and additional information on types of groundcovers and suppliers.


Pollinator Resources

Last Modified: May 31, 2019

Links to help protect pollinators in your orchards.


2019 Cornell Fruit In-Depth School Presentations Now Available!

Last Modified: April 23, 2019

The presentations that appeared at the 2019 In-Depth School focusing on precision crop load management and plant growth regulator use in apples are now available to review any time.  Articles related to the topic have also been included in the pdfs below.


Tree Fruit Nutrition Training with John Kempf

Last Modified: March 13, 2019
Tree Fruit Nutrition Training with John Kempf

John Kempf has outlined the science behind a strategically applied nutrition-based system in pome fruit production, mainly in Oregon and Washington orchards, and more recently in the Northeast. Using field observations, John has provided an interpretive framework with which to decipher the nutritional requirements of trees, targeting nutrient type and developmental phase of the crop. At the recent 2019 CCE LOF Winter Fruit Schools, John gave insights into the movement of minerals within the tree and how this applies to the remediation of issues apple growers face such as fire blight, bitter rot, and bitter pit.


Empire State Producers EXPO proceeding link

Last Modified: March 5, 2019

Links to proceedings and resources listed in presentations from the EXPO can be found here.


New Video - An integrated view of the physiology of apple water relations

Last Modified: November 20, 2018

Alan Lakso discusses the water relation of apples in a recent seminar given at Cornell.  For video link click view details.



Increased Risk of Diffuse Skin Browning in Goldens in 2018

Last Modified: October 26, 2018

Recommendations to mitigate the risk of diffuse skin browning due to 2018 season conditions.


New CCE LOF Videos

Last Modified: October 18, 2018

Watch and see how NYS apples are harvested & check out the new hail netting project.


Organizations Offering Respirator Fit Testing

Last Modified: March 8, 2018

Partial list of organizations offering respirator fit testing compiled by the New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health (NYCAMH)
When inquiring, ask these organizations about their fee structure, whether or not they will come to you, and if they can test the brand and model of your mask(s). Note that this list is evolving and may change over time.

2018 Lake Ontario Winter Fruit Schools

Last Modified: February 16, 2018

Presentations from the 2018 Lake Ontario Winter Fruit Schools. 

Labor Ready Farmer Website & Videos

Last Modified: February 8, 2018

LRF offers a team-based approach to address the challenge of being prepared to hire, manage and retain skilled employees by building skills of new farmers and Latino agricultural employees wanting to climb the ladder from labor to management.

Soil Health Researchers Launch Farmer Survey in New York State

Last Modified: February 8, 2018

Study Will Analyze Economic and Environmental Benefits of Cover Crops and Other Farm Practices
[Ithaca, NY] A state-wide survey of New York farmers is underway, with the aim of highlighting economic costs and benefits associated with maintaining and improving agricultural soil health. The survey, which will examine the agricultural practices of using cover crops and reduced tillage, is being conducted by the New York State Soil Health Workgroup and funded by NYS department of Ag and Markets.
The New York State Soil Health Workgroup is a network of researchers, practitioners, and policy makers working to keep the state's agricultural soils healthy and productive in the future. As part of these efforts, the group has recently launched a survey to explore farm practices that impact soil health, productivity, and farm profits. The survey is currently underway and will run until March 10th, 2018. The survey questionnaire can be completed by New York State farmers through an online link at tinyurl.com/NYsoilsurvey. A paper form of the questionnaire is also available at the Soil Health Group's website (https://blogs.cornell.edu/soilhealthinitiative/) which can be printed and returned to the researchers by mail.
"Soil health offers a lot of win-win solutions" said David Wolfe, a professor who studies soil and water management at Cornell University. Our efforts to improve soil health are "directly affecting farmers and healthy food for all of us, but also all kinds of environmental issues: erosion, water quality, food security and climate change challenges. They're all part of this". New York State contains over 7 million acres of active farmland that are used to produce a wide variety of agricultural crops including apples, grapes, vegetables, corn, and soybeans. While agricultural soils are crucial to the state's farms, they also provide other benefits to society such as protection of water resources and reduction of atmospheric carbon dioxide (a greenhouse gas). However, these soils suffer from compaction and loss of organic matter, and generally the health of these soils has degraded over time as a result of intensive use.
The New York State Soil Health Workgroup is looking for ways to improve and promote on-farm practices such as cover crops that bolster soil health. One of the group's principal investigators is Matt Ryan, who conducts research on sustainable cropping systems. "Cover crops can do a number of different things, provide a number of benefits. They can protect soil from erosion, they can suppress pests, but they're also one of the best tools that we have for building and increasing soil health", Ryan stated. The practice of using cover crops to protect bare soil and build organic matter could be greatly expanded in New York state, and the survey is one way that the researchers are working to get a better handle on how cover crops are being used, what impact they have on farm profitability, and why some farmers have yet to adopt the practice. "We're looking at different ways to overcome this barrier to adoption" Ryan added.
The researchers urge farmers to participate in the study by completing the 10-minute questionnaire via the online link at https://tinyurl.com/NYsoilsurvey before March 10th, 2018. A paper form of the questionnaire can be downloaded and printed, and more information about soil health and the Workgroup is available at their website; https://blogs.cornell.edu/soilhealthinitiative/. Questions about the New York State Soil Health Workgroup's research can be directed to Cedric Mason at (607) 255-8641 or cwm77@cornell.edu.

Produce Donations for Hurricane Relief

Last Modified: September 15, 2017

NYS Fruit & Vegetable growers are getting together some loads of "hard" crops (apples, onions, cabbage, winter squash and anything else you think will last a week at room temperature) to send down to TX and, likely, Florida.  Feeding America is handling transportation.  You will all receive a record of donation.

Dates are weekly to help donations be delivered to where they can be most efficiently used over the next month while emergency feeding continues.  More locations can be considered if we can get the pallet count to fill a truck at that locations.

Please see the attached PDF for more details and contact Maire Ulrich ASAP if you are interested in donating! (Maire: 845-742-4342/ e-mail mru2@cornell.edu/ office 845-344-1234 )


Predicted CA Cutoff Model for McIntosh

Craig Kahlke, Team Leader, Fruit Quality Management
Lake Ontario Fruit Program

Last Modified: August 18, 2017

Predicted CA Cutoff Model for McIntosh.  See attachment for full article.

MAF Sizer/Grader for Sale

Mario Miranda Sazo, Cultural Practices
Lake Ontario Fruit Program

Last Modified: August 10, 2017
MAF Sizer/Grader for Sale

MAF Pomone 2-lane Optiscan 2000 fruit sizer/grader with Orphea software and CCD camerafrom the Terence Robinson research program at the NYSAES in Geneva, NY. Manufactured in 1994 and purchased in 1996 as a prior demonstration machine and used to grade bushel sized samples of apples, pears, and peaches for quality comparison and research purposes. Unit is 32 feet long. Currently operating one-lane due to lack of parts. As is. Buyer incurs removal cost and labor. Must be removed by July 28th. Price reduced to $5,000. For more information contact Peter Herzeelle
ph373@cornell.edu, 315-781-2602.

Spray Mixing Instructions Considering Tree Row Volume - TRV

Mario Miranda Sazo, Cultural Practices
Lake Ontario Fruit Program

Last Modified: May 16, 2017

Spray Mixing Instructions Considering Tree Row Volume - TRV
Terence Robinson, Poliana Francescatto, Cornell University
Win Cowgill, Professor Emeritus, Rutgers University

Mechanical blossom thinning video.

Last Modified: May 15, 2017

Mechanical blossom thinning video and story. Click on details for links.

Precision Chemical Thinning in 2017 for Gala and Honeycrisp

Last Modified: May 4, 2017

Precision Chemical Thinning in 2017 for Gala and Honeycrisp
Poliana Francescatto, Craig Kahlke, Mario Miranda Sazo, Terence Robinson

As a new season is approaching it is time to set up your precision thinning program. Precision thinning is a strategy to increase the efficacy of chemical thinning.



A Practical "Visual Guide" for March Pruning of Young High Density Plantings

Last Modified: March 24, 2017

A Practical "Visual Guide" for March Pruning of Young and Semi-Young High Density Apple Plantings
Mario Miranda Sazo

The document is a practical and colorful visual guide that shows some important pruning cuts to better grow and train the "money makers" Gala, Honeycrisp, and Fuji trees.
Spanish translated version now available
Please click on details form more information and the guide pdf.

Platform Payback Tool

Last Modified: March 2, 2017

This financial tool will assist growers in determining the annual savings by investing in a platform for pruning, hand thinning and harvest. Platforms eliminate the use of ladders and create a consistent work flow that improves labor productivity for labor intensive tasks in orchard systems.

Listeria - Why is it Not Going Away? - Part I

Craig Kahlke, Team Leader, Fruit Quality Management
Lake Ontario Fruit Program

Last Modified: February 15, 2017

This is Part I of an important article on Listeria monocytogenes contamination on fresh produce. Included are descriptions of the deadly Jensen Farms outbreak on cantaloupe from Colorado in 2011 along with the Bidart Brothers (California) outbreak on fresh and caramelized apples in 2014 that also hospitalized and killed several people.

Some of the biology and the persistence of this deadly pathogen is discussed, as well as detection methods and possible places that can harbor Listeria and allow it to grow. How to reduce risk of Listeria contamination in the packinghouse is introduced.


Part II of the article is in the Second Issue of the Fruit Notes, Volume 17, Issue 2.

2017 CCE LOF Winter Fruit Schools

Last Modified: February 8, 2017

Presentations from the 2017 CCE LOF Winter Fruit Schools.

DEC Registered Pesticides for New York

Last Modified: January 30, 2017

This the the link to access the the NYDEC pesticide registrations.  Access labels here.  

Bureau of Pest Management - Information Portal - http://www.dec.ny.gov/nyspad/products?13

Update on Special Permit Training 2017

Last Modified: January 27, 2017
Update on Special Permit Training 2017

Discussions are in process between CCE and DEC to obtain approval for Special Permit training in 2017. Please stay tuned for the latest updates, and (we hope) the eventual announcement of training dates and registration information. Regarding possible dates, please contact us if you foresee a repetition of last spring's delays in the approval of H2A applications, as we will take these delays into consideration in setting dates.

For more information please click on Details below.

Did You Experience Drought Issues on Your Farm?

Last Modified: January 23, 2017

Did You Experience Drought Issues on Your Farm?
Please Help Us Collect Regional Information So We Can Help You Be Better Prepared in the Future

As you know, the summer of 2016 was a period of lower than average rainfall combined with higher than average temperatures that led to a drought of moderate to unprecedented severity in New York and much of the Northeast

A 2016 NY drought survey is being conducted and we need your input.
Please click on details for more information.

2016 NYS Crop Survey Report

Last Modified: August 19, 2016

Results from the 2016 NYS Crop Survey Report are now available. Click details for link to .pdf.
 

What Herbicides control which weeds ?

Deborah Breth, Integrated Pest Management
Lake Ontario Fruit Program

Last Modified: March 29, 2016

This guide is used to identify the most effective herbicides to target specific weeds in tree fruit.  First identify the weed, or weeds, then find those weeds across the top of the spreadsheet.  For each weed, make a list of herbicides that are effective on the label.  Then you will need to double check the label to determine 1) if the tree fruit crop is labeled, 2) if the tree age is appropriate for use,3) what rate is needed for specific weeds and any soil limitations that might impact those rates.  You can go to the Bureau of Pest Management - Information Portal to find the labels to determine specific application requirements including the rates, timing, any adjuvants necessary, and any precautions to ensure crop safety. 

Apple System Payback Calculator

Last Modified: March 16, 2016

Down load this spreadsheet to help you calculate the return on investment for an orchard system you are considering to plant or invest in.

2016 Lake Ontario Winter Fruit School

Last Modified: February 9, 2016

Presentations from the 2016 Lake Ontario Fruit Program Winter Fruit School.

Black Stem Borer Trap Data

Last Modified: January 22, 2016

Black stem borer traps are set all over the state of NY.  See trap data here.

Revisions in EPA WPS comment period open until Dec. 23, 2015

Deborah Breth, Integrated Pest Management
Lake Ontario Fruit Program

Last Modified: November 13, 2015

EPA is finalizing changes to the WPS. The WPS is a regulation primarily intended to reduce the risks of injury or illness resulting from agricultural workers' and handlers' use and contact with pesticides on farms, forests, nurseries and greenhouses. The rule primarily seeks to protect workers (those who perform hand-labor tasks in pesticide-treated crops, such as harvesting, thinning, pruning) and handlers (those who mix, load and apply pesticides). The rule does not cover persons working with livestock. The existing regulation has provisions requiring employers to provide workers and handlers with pesticide safety training, posting and notification of treated areas, and information on entry restrictions, as well as PPE for workers who enter treated areas after pesticide application to perform crop-related tasks and handlers who mix, load, and apply pesticides. The full content if you want to review and comment can be found at http://www.regulations.gov/#!documentDetail;D=EPA-HQ-OPP-2011-0184-2510.
A summary chart of major cahnges between the new revisions and the current standard can be found here. 
http://www2.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-09/documents/comparison-chart-wps.pdf

Apple IPM for Beginners

Deborah Breth, Integrated Pest Management
Lake Ontario Fruit Program

Last Modified: September 17, 2015
Apple IPM for Beginners

Pest management can be a complex system in perennial crops such as apples and other tree fruits.  "Apple IPM (Integrated Pest managment) for Beginners" is an excellent guide for new growers who want to grow apples, or want to be more familiar with managing pests in apple plantings.  Even growers who have been farming all their lives may know someone coming into the business that can learn from this guide and improve the quality of apples produced.  This 42-page guide will help new apple growers protect apple orchards from pests, in fact sheet format. This series of fact sheets is available in printed color format (see order form below), or in .pdfs https://blogs.cornell.edu/treefruit/ipm/apple-ipm-for-beginners/  It will help you address the major apple pests, but does not guarantee perfect fruit. These fact sheets and scouting guides are a compromise between the most accurate, complex information researchers have to offer and the amount of information a beginner can take in. Read the first four chapters carefully to start this new venture. Then follow the Scouting Calendar as apple stage of growth advances week-by-week. "Apple IPM for Beginners" was partially funded by Federal Smith Lever Funds. Additional full color printed copies can be ordered from CCE-Lake Ontario Fruit Program.


NYS Crop Survey Report

Matthew Wells, Production Economics & Business Management
Lake Ontario Fruit Program

Last Modified: August 14, 2015

The results of the first state-wide electronic apple crop survey are now available. Click this link to download the report in PDF format.

Labor Cost Calculator for Platform Activities

Matthew Wells, Production Economics & Business Management
Lake Ontario Fruit Program

Last Modified: August 4, 2015

Download this spreadsheet to help calculate acres covered per day and labor cost per acre utilizing platforms.

Precision Crop Load Management 2015 - Information and Tools for the Job

Last Modified: May 8, 2015

The CCE LOF team has just launched three shorts videos explaining the benefits of Precision Crop Load Management.

Apple IPM

Anna Wallis, Tree Fruit and Grape Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture

Last Modified: April 24, 2015

How can you use IPM (Integrated Pest Management) to control pests in your orchard?  These presentations provide a broad overview of IPM Theory, orchard insect and disease pests, and resources available to guide your decision making, such as the NEWA weather system.  

These PPT presentations were given at the Apple IPM Training sessions on April 21 & 22, 2015.  

Pruning Labor Cost Calculator

Last Modified: April 3, 2015

A simple spreadsheet tool to calculate pruning labor cost per acre.

2015 Winter Fruit School

Last Modified: February 25, 2015
2015 Winter Fruit School

Presentations from the 2015 Lake Ontario Fruit Program Winter Fruit School.

New fungicides labeled for use in tree fruit - all Special Local Needs Labels

Deborah Breth, Integrated Pest Management
Lake Ontario Fruit Program

Last Modified: April 9, 2014

The new class of fungicides, SDHI's, are now registered for use in tree fruit.  Fontelis was registered last season, and Luna Tranquility and Merivon were registered this spring.  They are all registered in NY as "Restricted Use" fungicides.  Due to the special restrictions for use in NY, they also are Special Local Need registrations.  In order to apply these materials you must have a copy of the label and the SLN label in your possession.  You can access these SLN and label to study or print at these links. 

Predicting Harvest Date Windows for Apples

Last Modified: January 14, 2014

For highest returns many factors need to be considered for harvesting fruit.  Harvest date has a major impact on apple quality after storage. The following pdf can be used to determine the best harvest window for apples.

Apple Harvesting, Handling, and Storage

Craig Kahlke, Team Leader, Fruit Quality Management
Lake Ontario Fruit Program

Last Modified: January 13, 2014

NYRAES-112, This publication is the proceedings from the Harvesting, Handling, and Storage Workshop, held on August 14, 1997 at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York. Ten papers are included: "Management of Gala, Braeburn, and Fuji for Quality"; "Effect of Retainª on Storability of Apple Fruit"; "Retain™ Experiences with McIntosh and Jonagold in New York"; "Current Issues Facing Washington State Fruit Growers"; "Calibration and Use of Penetrometers, Refractometers, Gas Monitoring Equipment, and Thermometers"; "Review of Cooling Needs for Rapid CA Storage"; "Recent Research and Changing Options for Controlling Postharvest Decays of Apples"; "Do I Sell My Fruit for Fresh or Processing Markets? A Spreadsheet-Based Analysis"; "Update on Calcium and DPA Research"; and "Fresh and Minimally Processed Produce and Food Safety."(1997)

Produce Handling for Direct Marketing

Craig Kahlke, Team Leader, Fruit Quality Management
Lake Ontario Fruit Program

Last Modified: January 13, 2014

NRAES-51, Successful direct marketing of fresh fruits and vegetables depends on providing quality items in a clean and customer-friendly environment. This publication is valuable for growers who sell seasonal produce at local farmers' markets or roadside markets. It describes postharvest physiology, food safety, produce handling from harvest to storage, refrigerated storage, produce displays, and specific handling and display recommendations for over forty types of fruits and vegetables. Eleven tables and eight figures are included. (1992)

Successful direct marketing of fresh fruits and vegetables depends on providing quality items in a clean and customer-friendly environment. Produce Handling for Direct Marketing, NRAES-51, is an invaluable guide for the grower who sells seasonal produce at local farmers' markets or roadside markets.

The Commercial Storage of Fruits, Vegetables, and Florist and Nursery Stocks

Craig Kahlke, Team Leader, Fruit Quality Management
Lake Ontario Fruit Program

Last Modified: January 13, 2014

The information contained in this preliminary version of HB-66 has been assembled from information prepared by nearly 100 authors from around the world. The version posted here is a revised copy of a Draft made available online in November 2002 for author and public review and comment.

Animals in Fruit Crops

Last Modified: January 8, 2014
Animals in Fruit Crops

Orchards and other fruit crops are great habitat for many animals for food, and shelter.  Deer, voles, rabbits, wild turkeys, and beavers, have caused damage to trees, bushes and fruit resulting in serious economic losses. Animals also pose a challenge for growers who participate in Food Safety audits to prevent contamination of fruit at harvest time. Growers must take steps to manage animals in fruit crops.  P. D. Curtis prepares and updates the Wildlife Damage Management Chapter in the Cornell Pest Management Guidelines for tree Fruit and also for Berries.  

New and Unusual

Deborah Breth, Integrated Pest Management
Lake Ontario Fruit Program

Last Modified: November 25, 2013
New and Unusual

2013 highlights of new and unusual pests detected in the orchard.

New pest detected! Is this the beginning of something bigger?

Last Modified: November 19, 2013
New pest detected!  Is this the beginning of something bigger?

An old pest resurfaces as a new problem in Western New York.

Brief Overview of Labor Regulations & Recordkeeping for Farm Businesses

Matthew Wells, Production Economics & Business Management
Lake Ontario Fruit Program

Last Modified: July 31, 2013

This document provides a brief overview of state & federal labor regulations that apply to many fruit farms in N.Y.S., as well as examples of record keeping forms that assist growers in meeting these regulations.

Labor Efficiency Economics in Apple Planting Systems

Matthew Wells, Production Economics & Business Management
Lake Ontario Fruit Program

Last Modified: July 31, 2013

NYS apple growers are investing in new high density apple planting systems which allow for increases in labor efficiency through various levels of mechanization.  Various types of orchard platforms (reducing ladder usuage for handthinning, tree training, trellis installation and perhaps harvest) and tractor mounted shearers (replacing summer pruning) reportedly increase labor efficiency from 10-90%.

Managing Codling Moth In Apples

Deborah Breth, Integrated Pest Management
Lake Ontario Fruit Program

Last Modified: June 6, 2013

All steps required to manage codling moth in apples and prevent economical damage, including mating disruption.   


more crops
Apples

Apples

Apricots

Apricots

Asian Pears

Asian Pears

Blueberries

Blueberries

Cherries

Cherries

Currants

Currants

Gooseberries

Gooseberries

Nectarines

Nectarines

Peaches

Peaches

Pears

Pears

Plums

Plums

Raspberries / Blackberries

Raspberries / Blackberries

Strawberries

Strawberries

Unusual Fruit

Unusual Fruit

more crops

Upcoming Events

Produce Safety Alliance Grower Training Course Yates County

December 18, 2024
Penn Yan, NY

Fruit and vegetable growers and others interested in learning about produce safety as well as growers who are covered by the FSMA Produce Safety Rule or who anticipate being covered in the future should consider taking this course.

The PSA Grower Training Course is one way to satisfy the FSMA Produce Safety Rule requirement outlined in § 112.22(c) that requires 'At least one supervisor or responsible party for your farm must have successfully completed food safety training at least equivalent to that received under standardized curriculum recognized as adequate by the Food and Drug Administration.'

From Seed to Success: Turn Your Idea into an Actionable Plan

January 7, 2025 : Session 1: The 30,000-foot view, what are you trying to accomplish? What resources do you have?

Unit 1: Introduction to Business Planning and the Business Plan (Liz Higgins)

  • Session 1: The 30,000-foot view, what are you trying to accomplish? What resources do you have?

January 14, 2025 : Session 2: Introduction to Project Management

Unit 1: Introduction to Business Planning and the Business Plan (Liz Higgins)

  • Session 2: Introduction to Project Management

January 21, 2025 : Session 3: How Business Planning Becomes a Business Plan

Unit 1: Introduction to Business Planning and the Business Plan (Liz Higgins)

  • Session 3: How Business Planning Becomes a Business Plan

January 28, 2025 : Session 4: Your Market and Your Competition

Unit 2: Developing a Marketing Plan for Your Farm (Bonnie Nelsen)

 Session 4: Your Market and Your Competition


February 4, 2025 : Session 5: Revenue and Product Mix to Achieve Your Goals

Unit 2: Developing a Marketing Plan for Your Farm (Bonnie Nelsen)

  • Session 5:  Revenue and Product Mix to Achieve Your Goals

February 11, 2025 : Session 6: Marketing Plan and Evaluation of Marketing Efforts

Unit 2: Developing a Marketing Plan for Your Farm (Bonnie Nelsen)

  • Session 6: Marketing Plan and Evaluation of Marketing Efforts

February 18, 2025 : Session 7: The Basics of Financial Statements

Unit 3: Developing a Financial Plan for Your Farm Business (Steve Hadcock)

  • Session 7: The Basics of Financial Statements


February 25, 2025 : Session 8: Enhancing Confidence in Your Numbers

Unit 3: Developing a Financial Plan for Your Farm Business (Steve Hadcock)

  • Session 8: Enhancing Confidence in Your Numbers



March 4, 2025 : Session 9: Using Financial Statements and Financial Information to Plan and Evaluate an Enterprise

Unit 3: Developing a Financial Plan for Your Farm Business (Steve Hadcock)

  • Session 9: Using Financial Statements and Financial Information to Plan and Evaluate an Enterprise

Electric Weeding in Organic Perennial Crops

January 14, 2025

Join us for a free webinar on electric weeding in organic perennial crops.

Announcements

Fire blight management survey

Understanding your perspective on fire blight management systems.

Your input on fire blight management systems is crucial for guiding future research efforts - please help us out by completing a quick survey at https://opinion.wsu.edu/AppleManagement/

Hearing your views and experience from the field will be very valuable in making our research and recommendations realistic and actionable. PLUS you will receive an electronic gift card for $25. The survey will only take 20 min of your time.

Your opinions are important to us, even if you did not have issues with fire blight control and antibiotic resistance in your orchard.


Business Updates



Save the Date! - Scroll down for Upcoming Events

Have you missed a meeting recently? Scroll down for available recordings or pdf links or visits our YouTube Channel https://www.youtube.com/c/LakeOntarioFruitProgram

2024 Events:

6 Dec - Lake Ontario Fruit Program Advisory Committee Meeting - 10am -2pm, Gates Public Library, register now 

11 Dec - Labor Roadshow VIII - Hudson Valley Community College, $75, Register Now

13 Dec - Labor Roadshow VIII - Jordan Hall, Cornell AgriTech, $75, Register Now

17 Dec - Labor Roadshow VIII additional topics - Webinar, 12pm - 2pm, $75, Register now


18 Dec - Labor Roadshow VIII additional topics - Webinar, 12pm - 2pm,  $75, Register now

2025 Events:



16 Jan - Farm Grant Literacy Workshop - Webinar, 12pm

17 Jan - 27 Feb - Ag Supervisory Leadership Course 104 - Register Now

23 Jan - Farm Grant Literacy Workshop - Webinar, 12pm

30 Jan - Farm Grant Literacy Workshop - Webinar, 12pm

Feb 4-5, 2025 - Western NY Fruit Conference - DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Rochester


13 Feb - Farm Grant Literacy Workshop - Webinar, 12pm

20 Feb - Farm Grant Literacy Workshop - Webinar, 12pm

27 Feb - Farm Grant Literacy Workshop - Webinar, 12pm
7 & 8 May - 2025 Respirator Fit Testing Clinics - CCE Orleans


Webinar Recordings & Additional Meeting Materials

Check out the recordings of some recent webinars and/or conference materials from in person events: Recordings and Playlists are available at https://www.youtube.com/c/LakeOntarioFruitProgram

Recording of Precision Apple Cropload MANagement PACMAN technologies at the 2nd Annual WNY Fruit Grower Tour. https://youtu.be/yE6thvf4z0E

2024 Virtual Orchard Meetup Series - Water Wisdom: 






2024 Winter Fruit Webinars playlist on the NYS IPM Program YouTube Channel


PACMAN Details and Resources, Meeting Recording Links below:




Scaffolds podcast

Many of you probably read Art Agnello's statewide tree fruit updates and recommendations newsletter, "Scaffolds". Dr. Monique Rivera is bringing it back, but in a new audio version. Episode one was recorded this week, and is now available for free online at https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/scaffolds


NYS Tree Decline Survey

Your answers could help find the solution to tree decline in the orchard.

Food Safety Virtual Office Hours

Cornell Institute of Food Safety "Virtual Office Hours", Tuesdays Noon to 1pm https://cals.cornell.edu/institute-for-food-safety/resources/virtual-office-hours

Past recorded virtual office hours can be found on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLZJs5b7KUuvfcquH3ZtQHo5dSmF2m5MdQ


Pollinator Resouces

Now available Pollinator Resource Links


Meeting Recordings Now Available

Did you miss the recent meeting?  Check and see if we recorded it and added it to our website or Lake Ontario Fruit Program YouTube Channel.

Honeycrisp Meetup recordings available here.

Why are my trees growing so poorly? recording available here.

Additional Recorded Webinars listing with recording and resource link are available at



New Publication on Growing Pawpaws

Are you a fan of pawpaws? These custardy fruits can be hard to come across, so this guide provides information on how to grow your own pawpaw from seed, and how to care for grafted seedlings. Pdf on growing now available.​ https://lof.cce.cornell.edu/submission.php?id=799&crumb=crops|crops|unusual_fruit|crop*50

New Weed Management Technology Survey

Want to move away from herbicide reliance? Are you using novel technologies to manage weeds? We want to know about it to inform our weed science research. A team of weed scientists from University of California Davis, Oregon State University, and Cornell University are asking berry, tree fruit, tree nut, and vine crop growers to take 5 to 10 minutes and answer this short and anonymous survey. Weed Technology Survey link: https://cornell.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_bEpfAijoP7puQDP

For more information on this survey please visit http://blogs.cornell.edu/swd1/2020/12/02/new-weed-management-technology/


Pollinator Webinar Series - Summer 2020

The Pollinator Webinar Series presented by Penn State cover bee health and pollination services.



Bloom Pesticides for Pollinator Health

A reference table created by Janet van Zoeren and Anna Wallis, is now available at https://lof.cce.cornell.edu/submission.php?id=711&crumb=pests|pests.