Intensive Workshop: High Density Sweet Cherries – International Dwarf Fruit Tree Association

February 10-12, 2005

 

Thursday, February 10, 2005

Tour

8:00 a.m.  Departure Wenatchee for all day orchard tour.

Orchard stops will illustrate several planting and training techniques.

4:00 Buses arrive at hotel.

5:30-8:00 Working Dinner

Featuring informal discussion of tour stops.


Friday Morning, February 11, 2005

8:00 a.m. to Noon

Opening Remarks
Tom Auvil, Workshop Coordinator

Program Announcements
Susan Pheasant, IDFTA Executive Director

Economics of High Density Cherry Orchards – Worker Productivity For Planting Systems In Cherries
Clark Seavert, Mid-Columbia Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Hood River, OR

Comparing worker productivity and the economics of high-density, standard-density, and mechanical harvest.

Industry Trends and How These Relate To Labor Requirements
BJ Thurlby, Washington Fruit Commission, Yakima, WA

A look at the Pacific NorthwestÕs production region, volumes, acreage, and nursery survey – especially as these impact and are impacted by labor requirements.

Five Most Important Attributes and the Varieties That Fill These Needs – An International Perspective.
Lynn Long, Oregon State University Extension Service, The Dalles, Oregon

Varieties from around the world are evaluated based on harvest timing, size, firmness, rain crack resistance, and flavor. 

Blushing Beauties
Anita Azarenko, Horticulture, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR

This presentation offers a look at British Columbia and New York selections on Gisela 5.  What are the happenings and opportunities in North America and throughout the world? How can we extend the Rainier season?

Grower Perspectives On Variety Characteristics and How They Relate To High Density Management
An experienced international grower panel moderated by Lynn Long, Oregon State University Extension Service, The Dalles, Oregon

Variety characteristics and how they relate to training system, planting density and other orchard design decisions.

Clonal Cherry Rootstocks from Around the World

What are the rootstocks available in North America and Europe?  What are the plusses and minuses of clonal rootstocks? 

Key Traits For Future Cherry Rootstocks
Amy Iezzoni, Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI

What are they and how are we working to address those traits in our rootstock selection program. 

Fabric Row Covers As A Tool For Fruit Quality
Robert Nunez-Elisea, Mid-Columbia Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Hood River, OR

How fabric row covers affect tree growth and training system decisions.

Covered High Density Sweet Cherries in Europe: Different Technical Designs and Tree Management
Mekjell Meland, Research Scientist, The Norwegian Crop Research Institute, Ullensvang Research Institute, Lofthus, Norway

Different European covering structures will be presented together with comments from experiences with high density tree management.

Friday Lunch, February 11, 2005

Noon to 1:30 p.m.

Buffet Lunch

Friday Afternoon, February 11, 2005

1:15 to 5:00 p.m.

Stemless Cherries: Marketing Successes and Challenges
Lowell Lancaster, Western Sweet Cherry Company, Yakima, WA

The stemfree program really has as much to do with growing as it does with marketing; marketing is the hard part, though.

Fruit Quality & Crop Load Management
Matt Whiting, Irrigated Agriculture Research & Extension Center, Washington State University, Prosser, WA

Why We Need It and What Are The Available Tools?

Carbon Partitioning for Leaf and Fruit Development
Greg Lang, Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI

How to maximize carbon partitioning for leaf and fruit development as a foundation for optimizing yields and fruit quality.

Finding the Cropping and Quality Balance With Rainier Cherries
Dave Allan, Allan Brothers Inc., Nachez, WA

Adjusting crop load for the production of high quality, high return Rainer cherries.

Self-Fertile Varieties for High Quality and High Returns
Ron Moon, Okanogan, WA

Short growing season meets precocious self-fertile varietiesÉMazzard works!!!

Nitrogen Uptake and Partitioning in Sweet Cherry
Anita Azarenko, Horticulture Department, Oregon State University, Corvallis, OR

Nitrogen uptake dynamics in sweet cherries.

Cherry Nutrition 101 For High Density
Timothy J. Smith, WSU Area Extension - Tree Fruits, Wenatchee, WA

What do cherry trees really need, how much and when?

Managing and Monitoring Powdery Mildew in High Density Cherries
Gary Grove, Irrigated Agriculture Research & Extension Center, Washington State University, Prosser, WA

Discussion of the epidemiology and management of powdery mildew – including the effects of meteorological factors and the availability/efficacy of control materials.

High Density Cherries – Fruiting Wood
Kym Green, Ellimatta Orchards, Lenswood, SA., Australia

How to create fruiting wood and reduce structural barriers.  Desirable fruiting wood – what is it and how do I keep it?

Two Approaches to Training High Density Cherries
Ron Moon, Okanogan, WA and John Beal, Okanogan, WA

Integrating economics, productivity, and training tools to produce high quality cherries.

Nutrient and Water Management for High Quality Cherries
Denise Neilsen and Gerry Neilsen, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Pacific Agri-Food Research Centre, Summerland, British Columbia, Canada

Looking at the relationships of irrigation management to water and nutrient availability as well as crop load and N nutrition to crop quality.

5:00 Adjourn


Saturday, February 12, 2005 

Tour

8:00 Departure to The Dalles area.

Key features include rootstocks, varieties, pruning techniques, and the overall advantages of high density pedestrian orchards for both growers and pickers.

Saturday Noon, February 12, 2005

Lunch at The Discovery Center, The Dalles, OR

Saturday Afternoon, February 12, 2005

Training Systems: Current Practices in North America
Lynn Long, Oregon State University Extension Service, The Dalles, Oregon

A look at the most common training systems utilized in North America and their attributes.

Training Systems: Current Practices in Europe
Dr. Valerie Simard (invited), Domaine Experimental La Tapy, Chemin des Galeres, Hameau de Serres, Carpentras, France

A look at the most common training systems utilized in Europe and their attributes.

High Density Cherry Systems
Terence Robinson, Department. of Horticultural Sciences, New York State Agricultural Experiment Station, Cornell University, Geneva, NY

How to integrate production goals, orchard economics, and the entire orchard environment with what we are learning about high density cherry systems.

Light Penetration and Pruning Tactics
Kym Green, Ellimatta Orchards, Lenswood, SA., Australia

Vital light penetration: the system has to help you.  Timing of pruning to achieve the desired response.

Training Systems: The Economic Story
Clark Seavert, Mid-Columbia Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Hood River, OR

Comparison of high density and standard density cherry systems: costs, rates of return on investment, etc.  A look at considerations for tailoring your management capabilities to profitability.

Success Stories and Train Wrecks
Greg Lang, Department of Horticulture, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI

Concluding thoughts on how to make high density sweet cherries work.

3:00 (no later than) Adjourn.  Participants may bus back to Wenatchee or take shuttle to Portland Airport.  Will go straight to Pangborn Airport and then make stop at hotel as needed.


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