Precision Crop Load Management 2015 - Information and Tools for the Job
Learning and implementing precision apple thinning will not be difficult this year. We have videos and a webinar that will bring you up to speed on this very important crop management tool.
Video 1: Precision Crop Load Management (PCLM) – An overview of PCLM and its benefits by Dr. Terrance Robinson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DixETqPgLa4&feature=youtu.be
Video 2: PCLM Conversations with Growers - NY grower’s perspective on PCLM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S-CFHzA6hJM&feature=youtu.be
Video 3: Learning Precision Apple Thinning – The details on how to implement the thinning protocol on your farm
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VoC2rRIsb-g&feature=youtu.be
PCLM Webinar: 2015 Webinar by Terrance Robinson reviewing the benefits of PCLM and the 2015 protocol for precision thinning
https://cornell.webex.com/cornell/ldr.php?RCID=56af8ee7a0c79a21953bf8314ef9b81b
Precision Thinning Steps for 2015: A printable word document that you can carry with you when starting the protocol on your farm. See Document Below.
Fruit Count per Tree Calculator for 2015: An excel spreadsheet that will help you calculate a target fruit count per tree based on achievable yields and fruit size desired. See Document Below
The work of the Precision Chemical Thinning Program is supported by the Apple and Research Development Fund.
Precision Thinning Steps – 2015 (pdf; 86KB)
Fruit Count per Tree Calculator - Precision Thinning 2015 (xlsx; 11KB)
Upcoming Events
2026 Cornell Winter Fruit Webinars
January 22, 2026 : Blueberry Pruning and Soil Health to Minimize Pests and Maximize Yield
Week 1: Blueberry Pruning and Soil Health to Minimize Pests and Maximize Yield
January 29, 2026 : Cost of Production for Fruit Crops
Week 2: Cost of Production for Fruit Crops - A new tool for tree fruit, updates on berry production in NY, and strategies for tracking and using expense data.
February 12, 2026 : Fire Blight Management Updates
Week 3: Fire Blight Management Updates - Pathogen Biology, Defense Inducers, Biopesticides, and Pruning Therapies
February 19, 2026 : Pink and Petal Fall Insecticides - Can We Strike the Right Balance?
Week 4: Pink and Petal Fall Insecticides - Can We Strike the Right Balance?
March 12, 2026 : Inoculating Orchards with Mycorrhizal Fungi
Week 5: Inoculating Orchards with Mycorrhizal Fungi
March 19, 2026 : St. Peachtrick's Day - Cherry Pruning Strategies and Plum Varieties for the Northeast
Week 6: St. Peachtrick's Day - Cherry Pruning Strategies and Plum Varieties for the Northeast
2026 Winter Fruit Schools
February 4, 2026 : 2026 Winter Fruit School - Niagara County
Lockport, NY
CCE-LOF are excited to bring you a return to LOF's Winter Fruit Schools, in which there will be two nearly identical programs on consecutive days in two locations in LOF's territory. We are in the process of putting together the program, and have garnered key input from our growers, businesses, and other personnel. Please note registration cost increases after January 27th, Registration Now!
February 5, 2026 : 2026 Winter Fruit School - Wayne County
Williamson, NY
CCE-LOF are excited to bring you a return to LOF's Winter Fruit Schools, in which there will be two nearly identical programs on consecutive days in two locations in LOF's territory. We are in the process of putting together the program, and have garnered key input from our growers, businesses, and other personnel. Please note registration cost increases after January 27th, Registration Now!
2026 Orleans County - DEC Certified Pesticide Applicator License Pre-Exam Training
March 9, 2026 : DEC Certified Applicator Pre-Exam Training Day 1
Albion, NY
This training is only for those with experience and does not qualify for the 30-hour official DEC training - you are exempt from the 30 hour training (and eligible for this coaching session) if you have pesticide application experience, either through working on your own farm or through employment on another farm.
March 13, 2026 : DEC Certified Applicator Pre-Exam Training Day 2
Albion, NY
This training is only for those with experience and does not qualify for the 30-hour official DEC training - you are exempt from the 30 hour training (and eligible for this coaching session) if you have pesticide application experience, either through working on your own farm or through employment on another farm.
