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)
Apples
Apricots
Asian Pears
Blueberries
Cherries
Currants
Gooseberries
Nectarines
Peaches
Pears
Plums
Raspberries / Blackberries
Strawberries
Unusual Fruit
Upcoming Events
Northeast Fruit Consortium Winter Webinar Series
February 4, 2026 : Management of Up and Coming Strawberry Diseases in the Northeastern United States
February 11, 2026 : Kiwiberry Production in the Northeast
February 18, 2026 : Apple Color and Sunburn
February 25, 2026 : The Dating Game; Updates in Lepidopteran Mating Disruption
March 4, 2026 : Update: USEPA Endangered Species Act and Implications for Pesticide Use
March 11, 2026 : Practical Drought Management for Fruit Growers
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 Tree Fruit Scouting Online Course
February 25, 2026 : Week 1 - IPM Fundamentals + Tools
This course trains tree fruit growers, orchard employees, industry professionals and interested students on the biology, identification and monitoring of major economically significant orchard pests, using an integrated pest management (IPM) approach. This course is FREE and provides an annual opportunity for growers to refresh their knowledge in advance of the growing season. Register by February 18th.
March 4, 2026 : Week 2 - Insects: Part 1
This course trains tree fruit growers, orchard employees, industry professionals and interested students on the biology, identification and monitoring of major economically significant orchard pests, using an integrated pest management (IPM) approach. This course is FREE and provides an annual opportunity for growers to refresh their knowledge in advance of the growing season. Register by February 18th.
March 11, 2026 : Week 3 - Insects: Part 2
This course trains tree fruit growers, orchard employees, industry professionals and interested students on the biology, identification and monitoring of major economically significant orchard pests, using an integrated pest management (IPM) approach. This course is FREE and provides an annual opportunity for growers to refresh their knowledge in advance of the growing season. Register by February 18th.
March 18, 2026 : Week 4 - Diseases
This course trains tree fruit growers, orchard employees, industry professionals and interested students on the biology, identification and monitoring of major economically significant orchard pests, using an integrated pest management (IPM) approach. This course is FREE and provides an annual opportunity for growers to refresh their knowledge in advance of the growing season. Register by February 18th.
March 25, 2026 : Week 5 - Weeds, Wildlife, + Wrap-Up
This course trains tree fruit growers, orchard employees, industry professionals and interested students on the biology, identification and monitoring of major economically significant orchard pests, using an integrated pest management (IPM) approach. This course is FREE and provides an annual opportunity for growers to refresh their knowledge in advance of the growing season. Register by February 18th.