 |
48th Annual Conference – International Dwarf Fruit Tree AssociationFebruary 5-9, 2005Wenatchee, Washington, USA |
Program (as of 12/01/2004)
Saturday, February 5, 2005
Tour A
8:00 a.m. departure for all day orchard and warehouse tour.
The bus tour will be focused on the center of the expanding production area in the Columbia Basin, that region from Quincy on the North to Pasco on the South. Stops will include a commercial nursery, very high density planting systems, Honeycrisp and Honeycrisp rootstock trial, Axe versus V training systems, plant-in-place versus finished trees. Lunch will be at a hunting lodge near Othello.
Tour B
10:00 a.m. departure for stories, culture, food, and wine.
The tour will feature the exhibits of Clyde ÒUpside DownÓ Pangborn and Hugh Herndon (partners in the first, successful non-stop Transpacific flight), Clovis (ÒThe First AmericansÓ – a nomadic hunting culture of the Pleistocene epoch), and Apples (the development of North Central WashingtonÕs most important agricultural industry) at the Wenatchee Valley Museum & Cultural Center. Tour participants will experience the master storytelling of Kay Sibley. Following a catered lunch, the tour will visit a local winery.
Sunday, February 6, 2005
Tour C
10:00 a.m. departure for all day orchard and fruit handling tour.
Busses will travel to the Auvil Fruit Company ranch at Vantage. This ranch has the reputation of the being a fruit factory for its production efficiencies and high yields. Topics of interest: use of platforms for pruning, thinning and tree training, Apogee and its impacts on labor efficiencies and production, high density cherries, plant-in-place orchard establishment, equipment, fruit handling going from orchard to storage, and information systems. We plan to be at the ranch for about 31/2 hours and will cover as many of the topics as possible. The busses should arrive back at Wenatchee by 5 PM.
Opening Session
7:00 p.m.
Welcome to the Washington State Tree Fruit Industry
Dr. Dana Faubion, Karen Lewis and Tim Smith, Washington State University Cooperative Extension
Development and Growth of Fresh Slice Apple Products
Ned Rawn, Business Manager For Fresh Slices, TreeTop, Inc.
Fresh slice is a value-added product that may favor home country markets due to current transportation time and costs. What is the outlook?
Monday Morning, February 7, 2005
8:00 a.m. to Noon
Opening Remarks
Ken Hall, IDFTA President
Program Announcements
Dr. Susan Pheasant, IDFTA Executive Director
Economic Production Model For Tree Fruit
Dr. Clark Seavert, Superintendent – Mid-Columbia Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Hood River, OR
Developed to evaluate the economic impact of new technologies, this model is a unique planning tool for the business owner with a desire to remain in the tree fruit business for the long haul.
A Comparison of Costs of Production and Production Practices in Eight Leading Apple Producing Countries
Jim Du Bruille, Director, Orchard Business Management Program, Wenatchee Valley College, Wenatchee, WA, and Dr. Bruce H. Barritt, Horticulturist, Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center, Washington State University, Wenatchee, WA
Apple production practices, production costs and yields differ widely from country to country. The Global Apple Study provides an overview and comparison of production practices and costs for eight of the world's largest apple growing nations including Brazil, Chile, China, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and the USA (Washington State).
Strategies for Growth in a Turbulent World
Dr Desmond O'Rourke, President, Belrose, Inc., Pullman, WA.
This presentation will highlight the main internal and external factors that fruit producers and marketers need to consider in planning for a successful future in a rapidly changing world. It will help attendees develop realistic goals for their operations. It will spell out alternative strategies for achieving those goals. It will discuss how best to choose allies that can help you meet these goals, and it will discuss ways to check that you are on the right growth path despite short-term market swings.
Revenue Enhancement – Will New Varieties Be Question Marks, Stars, Cash Cows, or Dogs?
Dr. Clark Seavert, Superintendent – Mid-Columbia Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Hood River, OR
Emphasis on cost controls alone will not assure financial success. Commodity pricing, along with unrelenting cost inflation due to minimum wage laws, will require strategies to increase revenues as well as improve efficiencies.
Consumer Acceptance of New Horticultural Crops
Dr. Roger Harker, Scientist, Hort Research, Auckland, New Zealand
New fruits are perceived as specialty rather than commodity foods and attract a premium for this reason. In this presentation, we examine consumer beliefs, attitudes, perceptions and preferences that influence their choice of new fruits.
ROBERT F. CARLSON DISTINGUISHED LECTURE
The Tall Spindle—Evolution of a Practical Apple Orchard System
Dr. Bruce H. Barritt, Horticulturist, Tree Fruit Research and Extension Center, Washington State University, Wenatchee, WA
Integrate features of the slender spindle, vertical axis, super spindle and SolAxe training systems, plant at least 1,000 very well-branched trees per acre on Malling 9 in single rows, support cone-shaped trees to a height of 10 feet with a vertical trellis, prune minimally, and you have the most popular orchard system in Europe today, the Tall Spindle.
Monday Lunch, February 7, 2005
Noon to 1:30 p.m.
Catered Lunch and Special Presentation
The State of the Apple Processing Industry in China - 2005
Jim Robbins, Director of Quality Services, Tree Top, Inc., Selah, WA
China is not a third world processor. Freeways have replaced cart paths. Plants are clean and very modern. Every food safety certification program has been issuing certificates. Tens of thousands of acres of Granny Smith have been planted as processing raw product. China has fewer barriers to becoming the processing powerhouse of the world
Monday Afternoon, February 7, 2005
1:30 to 5:00 p.m.
What Are The Current and Potential Roles of New Products and Niche Markets?
West Mathison, Executive Vice President, Stemilt Growers, Inc., Wenatchee, WA and Barclay Crane, WA
Where do passion, economics, and pure guts meet in the marketplace with respect to identifying and developing new products and niche markets? How are merchandising plans and operating philosophies managed? This panel presents the real numbers and business considerations behind opportunity, cash flow, profit, business planning, marketing, and economic decisions – and then gives you time to ask the questions.
The HortResearch Global Apple and Pear Breeding Project
Allan White, International Development, HortResearch, New Zealand.
HortResearch has entered into an International Joint Venture (PREVAR) to manage the marketing of licenses for varieties which emerge from its breeding program. The role of the Joint Venture is to ensure that HortResearch varieties are distributed globally in ways which will provide each variety to achieve its best potential and sustain its economic value.
Pink Lady Brand: Creating and Maintaining Value In An International Marketplace.
Jon Durham, Managing Director, Apple and Pear Australia Limited, Melbourne, Australia
Briefly explore the history of the development of the Cripps Pink apple variety and it's associated Pink Lady Trademarks, and outline the strategy adopted to enlist the support of the various global stakeholders from breeder through to international Pink Lady consumer. Implementation of a global brand building strategy in the fresh produce sector is inherently challenging for many reasons which will be explored in more depth during the presentation. Obviously there is much that has been learned and a great deal of adaptation that can and will take place as new fruit varieties enter the markets of the world. In closing, the presentation will focus the attendeesÕ attention on the lessons learned and the barriers to strong brand performance in the fresh produce sector.
The National Tree Fruit Technology Roadmap: Today and Tomorrow
Dr. Jim McFerson, Manager, Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission, Wenatchee, WA
This collaborative effort of industry members and the research community from across the country has solidified research priorities and begun delivering increased funding opportunities to achieve it vision: Delivering the highest quality fruit to the consumer and reducing production costs.
Evaluating New Varieties Relative to Consumer Preferences
Dr Roger Harker, Scientist, HortResearch, Auckland, New Zealand
In developing new varieties we should not only target elite fruit that are significantly more liked than existing cultivars, but also special unique fruit that create major new flavour niches. In this presentation, we examine how consumer preferences for taste and appearance can be identified, and what they mean for new variety development.
None Of It Is Feasible, But All Of It Is Necessary
Kent Waliser, General Manager, Sagemoor Farms, Pasco, WA and Alison De Maree, Area Extension Educator, Lake Ontario Fruit Program, Cornell Cooperative Extension
We may find ourselves making life changing decisions, about our business, job, family, or what variety to plant. At the time of these decisions, the solution may not seem feasible, but the decision is necessary to move on. To make the decision what tools will you use? Will you control the decision or will you let the decision control you?
5:00 Adjourn
Monday Evening, February 7, 2005
7:00 Awards Banquet
Special Program: Stories From The Back Of The Bus And Behind The Camera – a collaborative look at IDFTA tours and travels by Geraldine Warner, Bob Curtis, and Dr. Bruce Barritt
Tuesday, February 8, 2005
Tour D (fairly strenuous orchard walking)
8:00 a.m. departure to the Chelan area
Two fruit packing operations will be visited, one is a medium sized cooperative with a commit-to-pack line; the other is a very large cooperative, with a new (about a year old) pre-size line. Orchard stops will feature walking tours of two diversified farms focused on high value niche market crops. Both operations are early adopters of Horticultural Technology. Both orchard visits will involve extensive walking on fairly steep terrain, busses will drop off the tour at the top and pick up at the bottom of the hill (mountains?). Snow is likely to be on the ground. Lunch will be at a newly developed agri-tourism business in Manson featuring blueberries.
Tour E (retail walking)
8:00 Departure to the upper Wenatchee River Valley.
This tour will feature a variety of stops at several direct and retail fruit marketing operations, lunch in the Bavarian town of Leavenworth, and free time for Òretail therapy.Ó
Tuesday Dinner, February 8, 2005
On Your Own
Wednesday Morning, February 9, 2005
8:00 a.m. to Noon
The Next Steps In Crop Load Management Research
Part I - Escaping the Vagaries of Weather, Hormones, and Carbon Balance.
Dr. Steven J. McArtney, Southeast Region Apple Specialist, Department of Horticultural Science, North Carolina State University, Mountain Horticultural Crops Research and Extension Centre, Fletcher, NC
Chemical thinning of apples remains more of an unpredictable art than a precise science. Knowledge of how the weather, hormones, or whole-tree carbon balance interact to determine the final thinning response is academically interesting, but may not necessarily deliver appropriate technologies for consistently achieving a crop load target. Thinning materials that rely on a physical mode of action for their activity may ultimately offer more predictable chemical thinning responses.
Part II - Predicting Chemical Thinner Response on Apples
Dr. Duane W. Greene, Professor of Pomology, Department of Plant, Soil and Insect Sciences, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA
Frequently it requires 2 to 3 weeks following chemical thinner application for thinner responses to be visually apparent. By that time the thinning window of opportunity with the traditional postbloom thinners has passed. A method will be presented that will allow orchardists to assess thinner response, generally within 7 days of application, so that appropriate supplemental thinners can be applied while fruit are still susceptible to chemical thinner application.
Part III - Lime Sulfur- It's Not Just For Organics Anymore
Dr. Jim Schupp, Pomologist, Fruit Research and Extension Center, Penn State University, Biglerville, PA, USA
A look at current research on the timing, oil alternatives, and some interesting data from trials in which oil+LS at bloom/petal fall was used in combination with NAA or 6BA applied at the traditional post-bloom timing.
Part IV - Chemical Thinning Programs from Pre- through Post-Bloom.
Dr. Jim McFerson, Manager, WA Tree Fruit Research Commission, Wenatchee WA
Apple, pear, and cherry growers in the Pacific Northwest now have an array of chemicals which can be incorporated into crop load management programs. None are stand alone materials, but when combined with appropriate horticultural practices, provide a cost effective approach to improving fruit yield and quality.
New Techniques For Managing Vegetative Growth In Fruit Trees
Dr. Don C. Elfving, Horticulturist & Professor, Washington State University, Tree Fruit Research & Extension Center, Wenatchee, WA
Cyclanilide can induce feathering in apple, pear and sweet cherry. New ways to use BA/GA products to promote branching. Can we use the anti-ethylene product MCP in the orchard? Do GA and ethephon have a role in the control of alternate bearing?
Growing Large Galas
Dr. Terence Robinson, Dept. of Horticultural Sciences, New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, Cornell University, Geneva, NY
What management factors can growers use to increase Gala fruit size?
Agricultural Labor - Identifying and Managing the External and Internal Influences
Karen M. Lewis, WSU Grant-Adams Area Extension, Ephrata, WA
Price, availability, and efficiency are evolving. Are your business practices keeping up?
Getting the Most Out of the MCP Investment
Dr. Dana Faubion, WSU Cooperative Extension, Yakima, WA
A look at best practices that will enhance the effects of MCP.
Yield Mapping and the Economic Evaluation of Platforms
Dr. Dana Faubion, WSU Cooperative Extension, Yakima, WA and Dr. Clark Seavert, Superintendent, Mid-Columbia Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Hood River, OR
Making objective evaluations in subjective situations.
Wednesday Lunch, February 9, 2005
On Your Own
Wednesday Afternoon, February 9, 2005
1:00 to 5:00 p.m.
Fumigation Practices To Optimize New Orchard Performance
Timothy J. Smith, WSU Area Extension - Tree Fruits, Wenatchee, WA
Soil fumigation continues to be a vital and practical treatment for orchard replant disease. Common application situations and research data on tree growth and yield will be presented.
Investing in Plant Material? Keep Up With the Changes in Technology and Markets
Tom Auvil, Research Horticulturalist, Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission, Wenatchee, WA
Proper prior planningÉallows growers to actually utilize the best plant material, not just what is still on inventoryÉ
Traits of the Next Wave of Geneva¨ Rootstocks
Dr. Gennaro Fazio, Apple Rootstock Breeder and Geneticist, Plant Genetic Resources Unit USDA ARS, Cornell University, Geneva, NY with Dr. Terence Robinson, Dr. Herb Aldwinckle and Dr. Mark Mazzola
We all know that Geneva¨ rootstocks are known for their resistance to fire blight and phytophthora. What about the other traits that make a rootstock desirable? Would tolerance to replant disease be of importance? How about drought tolerance? What about the ability to bear more fruit or to modify branch angles? In this talk we will describe the next wave of selections from Geneva apple rootstock breeding program and the traits that distinguish them.
New Orchards: The Impact of Initial Investments on Profitability
Alison De Maree, Area Extension Educator, Lake Ontario Fruit Program, Cornell Cooperative Extension
Getting an orchard off to a good start is critical to sustained productivity. Controlling initial investment costs are also important to profitability over the orchards life.
Sleeping Eyes, Bench Grafts, & Finished Trees – Part I
Dr. Terence Robinson, Dept. of Horticultural Sciences, New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, Cornell University, Geneva, NY
What is the value of different tree types: sleeping eye versus one-year grafts versus feathered trees? This presentation provides a look at both the horticultural performance and the economics.
Sleeping Eyes, Bench Grafts, & Finished Trees – Part II
Dave Allan, Allen Brothers, Yakima, WA
Successful planting of bench grafts instead of finished trees requires a change in cultural practices; cannot farm bench grafts in the same way as finished trees.
Technology Gaps For The Next Major Gain
Dr Stuart Tustin, HortResearch, Hawkes Bay Research Centre, Havelock North, New Zealand
From everything we know now about planting systems horticulturally and physiologically - where are the technology gaps for the next major gain in production efficiency and quality? Are we at the biological limit for improvement in the performance of intensive planting systems? Have we got all the factors sufficiently understood scientifically that we have limited ability to further improve planting systems performance? Can we identify any new opportunities to create additional biological, horticultural and economic efficiencies in intensive planting systems?
Focus on Profitability: Measurement and Assessment
Dr. Jim McFerson, Manager, Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission, Wenatchee, WA; Mike Robinson, Babcock Associates, Quincy, WA; Dr. Clark Seavert, Superintendent – Mid-Columbia Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Hood River, OR; Dr Stuart Tustin, HortResearch, Hawkes Bay Research Centre, Havelock North, New Zealand
What do you get when you ask an economist, a visionary, an optimist and realist about tree fruit profitability? This panel will explore those practices, inputs, and science (classical pomology and plant physiology research with genomics) that might have the greatest impact on profitability (based on the economic production model for tree fruit) and pose problem-solving options.
5:00 Adjourn