Physiology of Pre-Harvest Fruit Drop in Apple

Optimizing performance of apple stop-drop products can be improved with a basic understanding of the physiology of pre-harvest drop and some of the factors that can influence it. Apples are a climacteric fruit, meaning that the maturation and ripening processes are...

Post-Harvest Planning for Hops

The past few years have provided unusual environmental challenges to hop production in the PNW growing region. Fluctuating and abnormal precipitation and temperature feel like the new normal. However, September always brings the familiar and welcome constant of hop...

August Soybean Update

The news is somewhat better in soybeans in that they have some time on their side in hopes of receiving rainfall.  Most soybeans are in full bloom (R1) to pod set (R2) stage of development.  They have begun to show dramatic signs of moisture stress in that they are...

Tipping Back & Pollination Issues in Corn

“Tipping Back/Pollination Issues” in cornis common this year across many geographies and hybrid maturities due to the dry weather.  We have talked about ear development earlier in the plant stages (V6) regarding the number of rows around the cob and the number of...

Fungus Amongst Us – Common Rust vs. Southern Rust

While occurring every year, this year common corn rust appears to be more prevalent than usual.  Additionally, Southern rust has been detected in Kansas and counties along the Nebraska/Kansas state lines.  It is likely that the unusual weather patterns this Spring and...