Two New Cornell Apple Varieties
Mario Miranda Sazo, Cultural Practices
Lake Ontario Fruit Program
Cornell recently announced the release of two new apple varieties developed in partnership with the New York Apple Growers (NYAG). They are SnapDragon and RubyFrost, and they were developed by Cornell breeder Susan Brown. The two apple varieties have been a decade in the making, and how they've gone to market is a first for the Cornell apple-breeding program and the New York apple industry. Historically, public universities developed new apple breeds and released them to the industry freely. But in 1980, the Bayh-Dole Act gave universities the right to retain the intellectual property rights for their research, with limited plant-based royalties. In May 2010, Cornell forged a partnership for a "managed release" with NYAG, a new industry group, to establish an exclusive licensing agreement in North America for the two apple varieties. Growers pay royalties on trees purchased, acreage planted and fruit produced, and the income is used to market the new varieties and support Cornell's apple-breeding program. The first trees were planted in farmers' orchards in 2011, and now 400 acres are growing across the state. According to NYAG, the still-young trees produced a limited crop this year, but intrepid consumers found SnapDragon and RubyFrost at selected NYAG farm stands across the state. By 2015, the varieties will be vying for space in grocery stores among the Empires, Galas and Honeycrisps. Greater quality, better storage, and disease and insect resistance have long been the goals of Cornell's apple breeding program. In addition to SnapDragon and RubyFrost, Cornell has released 66 apple varieties since the late 1890s, including the popular Cortland, Macoun, Empire and Jonagold (modified from an article written by Amanda Garris, communication officer for NYSAES).
SnapDragon (pdf; 524KB)
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Cornell and New York Cider Association's Hard Cider Tours (Attendees)
July 28 - July 29, 2026 : Cornell Research and Lab Testing Updates and New York Cider Association's Hard Cider Tours
Ithaca, NY
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July 29 (all Day) - Annual New York Cider Summer Tour at about 5 cideries, including lunch at Finger Lakes Cider House (included in registration) . Also includes bus for the first 30 registrants.
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Start Date: Tuesday, July 28, 2026
End Date: Wednesday, July 29, 2026
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2026 Apple Socials
July 17, 2026 : Orleans County - Apple Social
Lyndonville, NY
Apple Socials Return for a Third Year, proudly sponsored by Valent and American Fruit Grower magazine.
July 29, 2026 : Wayne County - Apple Social
Williamson, NY
Please join us at this casual networking event for all apple industry folks from Western NY, proudly sponsored by Valent.
Cornell Fruit Field Day
July 30, 2026
Geneva, NY
Join Cornell researchers in Geneva for Fruit Field Day, returning after 10 years, to tour research plots, learn from experts—including Dr. Terence Robinson with 40+ years in tree fruit research—and explore the latest orchard technologies and practices. At the catered lunch, network with industry, and visit sponsor displays and equipment. Our keynote speaker is Commissioner of Agriculture Richard Ball. DEC credits available.