Re: [apple-crop] Apple skin disorder

[Michael Vaughn]

I saw these this year starting with Northern Spy in mid-October.  Then as
November approached it became quite prevalent on other varieties
(HoneyCrisp, Golden Delicious)  Not seeing it on Granny Smith no Gala.

This was before storage, that is on the tree.

On Sat, Nov 28, 2015 at 2:16 PM, David Kollas  wrote:

>
>
> The two photos here show a skin-deep discoloration now appearing in
> several varieties of our stored fruit
> (32-36F, air).  In most cases I can distinguish a circular lighter-colored
> zone centered on a lenticel, but this often merges into similar tan-colored
> skin beyond the single lenticel.  None of the spots I have seen is larger
> than the
> the diameter of a 5-cent coin.  Affected skin is not different than normal
> skin to the touch. There is no pitting or
> depression in the affected area.  Note that in one of the Mutsu fruits
> shown, discoloration is limited to the calyx-end points.
>
> In several years I have seen scald symptoms near the end of storage season
> (late February, March), but
> now in mid-November, I don't expect to see superficial scald. I am
> wondering whether others have seen
> similar symptoms.
>
>
> David Kollas
> Kollas Orchard
> Tolland, Connecticut; USA
>
>
>
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Re: [apple-crop] crop prospects

[Michael Vaughn]

Arthur,

I have a small Orchard in NE Pa. and the trees are loaded with Blossoms.
The flowers opened starting Monday PM and full open by mid-day Tuesday.

Going to be a very heavy set given the dry weather forecast and nice 70 d
days.

On Tue, May 12, 2015 at 12:41 PM, Arthur Kelly kellyorcha...@gmail.com
wrote:

 I don't know about the rest of you but if we get any kind of pollination
 weather the crop will be very heavy and difficult to thin.  The potential
 bloom at this point is scary.  We are at pink except for cracking some king
 flowers on Zestar, Paulared, Gingergold etc.

 --
 Art Kelly
 Kelly Orchards
 Acton, ME

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Re: [apple-crop] non-GMO non-browning apples

[Michael Vaughn]

David,

I would love to try out the Sweet Emma  variety.  Three trees sound just
right.

The Orchard is at

1556 Hall Road, New Milford, Pa 18834

Please let me know what you need to complete this transfer.

On Mon, Mar 30, 2015 at 12:41 PM, David Doud david_d...@me.com wrote:

 If anyone has a need for an apple that doesn't brown, I'd be happy to send
 a stick or three of 'Sweet Emma', a chance seedling from grandfathers farm
 - white flesh that doesn't ever even hint of turning brown even while it
 dries to a crisp - a little flattened, red, 2.75, ripe early Oct, mild
 sweet crisp like a RD would dream of being -  vigorous tree, early
 blooming, very scab susceptible, doesn't fill bins like Melrose or Mutsu,
 loses quality in six weeks (would probably respond well to 'Smart-Fresh') -
 I sell quite a few between Oct 5 and Thanksgiving -

 No charge - no obligation -
 David Doud


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Re: [apple-crop] Narrow Tall Spindle Layout

[Michael Vaughn]

I have a Tall Spindle Orchard (PYO) in the Endless Mts. of Northern
Pennsylvania about 1/2hr south of Binghamton, NY.  The planting is in its
6th year; 3ft spacing with 13 ft between rows, approx. 3 acres.   The
rootstock is Bud 9 and M-9 depending on the variety.  Real easy to prune
and maintain.  Minimum to NO ladders except at the 10Ft + height as the
trees matured.   My best customers are
families with children under 15 yrs.  because they can all reach 80% of the
fruit.


On Fri, Jul 4, 2014 at 1:06 PM, Kevin Hauser ke...@kuffelcreek.com wrote:

 This photo is at a PYO in Massachusetts not far from Belchertown that has
 nice-sized trees for pedestrian picking, with the highest apples within
 kid-sitting-on-the-shoulder's reach.  Marty is 5'2 and so you can see the
 scale.  The clerk didn't know the rootstock, but my guess is something
 smaller than Bud. 9 or M9.

 https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/100097230/PYO%20Mass.JPG

 Kevin Hauser
 Kuffel Creek Apple Nursery
 Riverside, California
 Nakifuma, Uganda

 On Fri, 4 Jul 2014 11:29:24 -0400, Arthur Kelly kellyorcha...@gmail.com
 wrote:
  Maximum yield isn't necessarily the same thing as maximum sales.  In my
  opinion, the selling is more important than anything else.  Yes, good
  yields of good quality fruit is important, but being good at selling and
  how much you are able to get for what you have to sell trumps everything
  else.  If you are able to sell for $40.00/bu what needs to happen to get
  that price in terms of customer experience is  the priority.
 
  p.s. No, we are not able to get that much but there are farms in the
 area
  that do.  We still wholesale a large percentage of the crop.
 
  Art Kelly
  Kelly Orchards
  Acton, Maine
 
 
  On Thu, Jul 3, 2014 at 2:13 PM, David Doud david_d...@me.com wrote:
 
  not an expert here, but it's my understanding in a spindle system the
  space between trees in the row is determined by what renewal pruning
 will
  fill and that much over 3' between trees in most situations would
 require
  permanent woody architecture to keep the space filled, which brings
 about
  several horticultural challenges -
 
  then the space between rows versus the height of the trees becomes a
  calculation to maximize yield -
 
  in a you-pick situation I'd suggest that maximum yield would be a
  secondary consideration to logistics - that wider rows and shorter
 trees
  for convenience and safety would override a certain percentage of
 maximum
  theoretical yield -
 
  I shudder to consider what strategies the public might employ to
 harvest
  that beautiful apple just out of their reach...
 
  if my understanding is incorrect, feel free to challenge -
 
  David
 
 
 
 
 
  On Jul 3, 2014, at 11:21 AM, Matt Pellerin wrote:
 
  Thanks for the responses.  I was thinking of going to a 10 x 3 orchard
  growing Honeycrisp on M26 and Macoun on Bud 9.  I think the 10 x 3
  spacing
  puts the tree height at 8.5' which will work pretty well for
  pick-your-own.
   On this kind of spacing, will I still be within the Tall Spindle
   category?
   Will I have to make adjustments in my pruning methodology or will the
  typical tall spindle pruning and training recommendations work?
 
  Thanks,
  Matt
 
 
  On Thu, Jul 3, 2014 at 8:26 AM, kuffelcr...@kuffelcreek.com wrote:
 
  I concur with Dennis' evaluation of Dr. Robinson's videos; this system
  has
  forced even stubborn high-chill varieties to transition from
 vegetative
  mode to fruiting mode in hot climates and the tropics.
 
  I wanted to address Matthew's desire to keep the trees around 6' tall.
  This sounds like it would take a very dwarfing rootstock like M27; do
  any
  of our growers have experience training these as tall spindle?
 
  Kevin Hauser
  Kuffel Creek Apple Nursery
  Riverside, California
  Nakifuma, Uganda
 
  On Thu, 3 Jul 2014 00:23:19 -0500, dmnor...@royaloakfarmorchard.com
  wrote:
   matthew,
  
   We have been growing tall spindle in northern Illinois in a
  pick-your-own
   orchard for around 5 or 6 years now.  The system has been improving
   over
   the years and currently the newer spacing being recommended by Dr.
  Terence
   Robinson
   from Cornell is around 12' x 3'.  I highly recommend watching the
   videos
   at YouTube he did at the Winter Apple School in Henderson County, NC
  found
   at http://youtu.be/gJF4wLgXnK8
  
   After viewing this video and others on the BRCC TV - The Educational
   Channel on YouTube covering the Tall Spindle System, we will be
 making
  the
   recommended changes to our current system of 14' x 4'.
  
   Hope this helps.
  
   Dennis Norton
   IPM Specialist/Certified Nurseryman
   Royal Oak Farm Orchard
   15908 Hebron Rd.
   Harvard, IL 60033-9357
   Office (815) 648-4467
   Mobile (815) 228-2174
   Fax (609) 228-2174
   http://www.royaloakfarmorchard.com
   http://www.royaloakfarmorchard.blogspot.com
 - Original Message -
 From: Matt Pellerin
 To: apple-crop@virtualorchard.net
 

Re: [apple-crop] Vineland 1 rootstock

[Michael Vaughn]

I have an Orchard in N.E. Pennsylvania and would like to hear more about
the press.
I currently bring my apples to a 3rd party for pressing but have
entertained doing my own.

BTW I use Honeycrisp mixed with other varieties and make a sweet / pure
juice that
customers seem to love.  Especially the locals who are making Hard Cider
and AppleJack with it.  Couldn't make enough to satisfy the demand.


On Mon, Nov 25, 2013 at 3:39 PM, Rich Everett reofar...@gmail.com wrote:

 Huge, we are at Lat 38, and nearly at sea level.   I think it is common
 for the tree to be a  tough one to grow throughout the US market compared
 to other apple trees.  There is no doubt it's a good fresh apple for eating
 and as I mentioned it was not a favorite for juice as compared to our 17
 other varieties…

 I'm selling a 22 rack and cloth press if anyone is interested?

 On Oct 31, 2013, at 9:19 AM, Hugh Thomas hughthoma...@gmail.com wrote:

 I've read that V1 is resistant to fire blight.  See:
 http://www.plant.uoguelph.ca/treefruit/outreach/files/PerformanceandAvailabilityoftheVinelandAppleRootstocks-Dec2006.pdf


 On Thu, Oct 31, 2013 at 8:20 AM, Deborah I. Breth d...@cornell.eduwrote:

  Is V1 resistant or susceptible to fire blight?





 Deborah I. Breth

 Cornell Cooperative Extension - Lake Ontario Fruit Program

 Team Leader and IPM Specialist in Tree Fruit and Berries

 12690 Rt. 31

 Albion, NY   14411



 phone: 585.798.4265 x 36

 mobile:  585.747.6039

 fax:  585.798.5191



 email: d...@cornell.edu

 LOF website http://www.fruit.cornell.edu/lof



 *From:* apple-crop-boun...@virtualorchard.net [mailto:
 apple-crop-boun...@virtualorchard.net] *On Behalf Of *Huffman, Leslie
 (OMAFRA)
 *Sent:* Thursday, October 31, 2013 11:02 AM
 *To:* Apple-crop discussion list; Jon Clements

 *Subject:* Re: [apple-crop] Vineland 1 rootstock



 I agree with Jon, V1 definitely has more vigour.



 Leslie

 [image: cid:image001.gif@01CDC8A7.C95AB0F0]
 Leslie Huffman
 519-738-1256
 leslie.huff...@ontario.ca 519-738-1256leslie.huff...@ontario.ca



 *From:* apple-crop-boun...@virtualorchard.net [
 mailto:apple-crop-boun...@virtualorchard.netapple-crop-boun...@virtualorchard.net]
 *On Behalf Of *Hugh Thomas
 *Sent:* October-30-13 2:47 PM
 *To:* Jon Clements; Apple-crop discussion list
 *Subject:* Re: [apple-crop] Vineland 1 rootstock



 Thanks Jon,

 I did order some V1 trees from Cameron yesterday and I'm glad you told me
 about the spacing, as I was heading for 4 feet.   I''ll plant 5x12 and give
 you a report as the next few seasons go by.

 Hugh



 On Wed, Oct 30, 2013 at 11:27 AM, Jon Clements jon.cleme...@umass.edu
 wrote:

 Hugh, see this for a start:



 http://www.extension.org/pages/60856/apple-rootstock-info:-v1#.UnFOtJRga9U



 Several growers here in Massachusetts have planted Honeycrisp (and maybe
 some other varieties?) on V.1 in recent years. The trees have done very
 well, however, they are larger than B.9 and M.9. Planting 3-4 feet apart is
 running into some crowding issues. They have been precocious, but I would
 plant them 5-6 ft. apart using a vertical axis type training. Trees I
 believe have come from Cameron Nursery.



 Jon



 On Sun, Oct 27, 2013 at 3:44 PM, Hugh Thomas hughthoma...@gmail.com
 wrote:

  In my search for a cold tolerant rootstock, I ran across Vineland 1.
 Any input on this rootstock from anyone?  B9 Honeycrisp trees are hard to
 find so I'm considering V1.



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 aka 'Mr Honeycrisp'
 UMass Cold Spring Orchard
 393 Sabin St.
 Belchertown, MA  01007
 413-478-7219
 umassfruit.com


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 Rich Everett

 Everett Family Farm
 Fine Organics From Seed to Core
 reofar...@gmail.com




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Re: [apple-crop] Stone fruit trunk painting

[Michael Vaughn]

I remember you add Thiram to that mix.  Tobe done in October on Apples if
I recall correctly.


On Sun, Jul 14, 2013 at 9:35 AM, Kevin Hauser ke...@kuffelcreek.com wrote:

 1/3 water
 1/3 white latex paint


 On Sun, 14 Jul 2013 08:45:51 -0400, Arthur Kelly kellyorcha...@gmail.com
 wrote:
  Does anyone know the recipe for trunk painting including joint compound?


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Re: [apple-crop] Wall Street Journal Market Watch

[Michael Vaughn]

Great questions and observations.  I for one only buy from stands that
openly tell where their produce comes from.

At my PYO orchard, anything I offer not made or grown on the farm is
labeled.

Honesty is the best policy!

On Mon, Sep 17, 2012 at 3:34 PM, Kushad, Mosbah M kus...@illinois.eduwrote:

  Here is an article that appeared in today's Wall Street Market Watch
 Website. 

 ** **

 Interesting observations..   Does it matter to your customers if a certain
 percentage, large or small, of what you sell either at the farm or
 elsewhere is not grown at your farm?  Do they know, should they know, and
 does it make a difference?  .. Hope to hear any  experiences or questions
 that you may have been asked by your customers related to this subject.***
 *

 ** **


 http://www.marketwatch.com/story/10-things-farm-stands-wont-tell-you-2012-09-17
 

 ** **

 Mosbah Kushad, University of Illinois

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Re: [apple-crop] Scaffolds 3/19

[Michael Vaughn]

Art,

I have been unable to open/download this years Newsletters.
When I click on the link provided it attempts to find your site then
reverts to google
after trying c'cornell.edu.

I can display the letters but am unable to save them for offline reference.
Question do require a subscription?  If so please forward registration
information.

On Tue, Mar 20, 2012 at 10:10 AM, Arthur M Agnello a...@cornell.edu wrote:

  A new issue of Scaffolds Fruit Newsletter for the week of 3/19 has been
 posted and can be found at:

 Regular pdf -
 *http://www.scaffolds.entomology.cornell.edu/2012/SCAFFOLDS%203-19-12.pdf
 *
 ScaffoldsMD for mobile devices -
 *http://www.scaffolds.entomology.cornell.edu/2012/3.19MD.pdfhttp://www.scaffolds.entomology.cornell.edu/2012/3.12MD.pdf
 *
  *
 *
  This issue includes the following articles:

 *INSECTS*
 - Early-season oil strategies
 *GENERAL INFO*
 - NEWA degree-day calculations
 *HORTICULTURE*
 - Effect of mild winter on fruit trees
 *PHENOLOGIES
 PEST FOCUS
 UPCOMING PEST EVENTS*
 --
 Arthur M. Agnello
 Professor and Extension Tree Fruit Entomologist
 Dept. of Entomologya...@cornell.edu
 N.Y.S. Agric. Expt. Sta.Tel: 315-787-2341
 630 W. North St.   Fax: 315-787-2326
 Geneva, NY  14456-1371
 http://web.entomology.cornell.edu/agnello/links.html
 Scaffolds Fruit Journal online:
 http://www.scaffolds.entomology.cornell.edu/index.html


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Re: [apple-crop] 2012 Hudson Valley Fruit Growers' School

[Michael Vaughn]

Mike,

I have been unable to find /or/ open the registration page for this event.
The limk below comes up blank on my screen.  I also tried looking at
*p://hudsonvf.cce.cornell.edu   *
The link on that page returns nothing as well.
Thanks for any help you can give.


2012/1/4 Mike J Fargione mj...@cornell.edu

  Happy New Year!

 The 2012 Hudson Valley Commercial Fruit Growers’ School will be held
 February 14-17 in Kingston, Ulster County, NY.  The program and
 registration information are available at
 http://hudsonvf.cce.cornell.edu/meeting_announcements/2012%20Fruit%20School%20program%20web%20version%201-3-2012.pdf.
   We hope you will consider joining us and please circulate this
 information to others who might be interested in attending.

 Best wishes,

 Mike

 ** **

 ** **

 Michael J. Fargione

 Extension Educator, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Ulster County

 Hudson Valley Regional Fruit Program

 Hudson Valley Lab, 3357 Route 9W, P.O. Box 727, Highland, NY 12528-0727***
 *

 telephone: 845-691-7117, cell: 845-399-2028, fax: 845-691-2719, email:
 mj...@cornell.edu

 visit us at http://hudsonvf.cce.cornell.edu

 ** **

 ** **

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Re: Apple-Crop: A discussion of the vision of doing business

[Michael Vaughn]

John,

Considering the date of the Pie business the price is probably inline with
todays market.
Think of this:
In 1960 my mother would send me to the corner store for a Loaf of Bread,
quart of milk and a pack of cigarettes.  She would intrust me with a single
$ and always remind me to bring back the change.  Approx $.10

In todays world (New Jersey, Pa):
Loaf of bread  costs approx. $2.29
1 Quart of Milk cost $1.79
1 pack of cigarettes $7.00

Total  $11.08  somewhat more than 12 times
the price for the equivalent value.  If you multiply $1.25 X 12 = $15.00 for
a fresh homemade pie.  I believe that is a going price for a pie today in an
UPSCALE bakery.  Sounds like both the customer and the seller were getting
what they paid for.

Michael Vaughn
Owner/Manager
Pie-In-the-Sky Orchard
New Milford, Pa

On 7/30/10, JOHN BELISLE jdbeli...@hotmail.com wrote:

  David,



 As to the question of fair price. Was $1.25 for a hand crafted pie a fair
 price.  Sounds a little country  farmy to me. (meaning to cheap)   Did a
 multitude of pies at $1.25 bring in enough money to pay your help a living
 wage??? Did the $1.25 a pie allow your family to hire help to keep your Dad
 from working 12 hours a day???   If it did then $1.25 could have been a fair
 price for your DAD,  if it did not then the price was only fair to the
 customer.



 I am afraid far too many of us consider fair to be a selling price that
 returns far too little for us.  Should we not strive to price like the Sunny
 Slope Peach???  Why are we so afraid?



 JOHN



 *From:* apple-crop@virtualorchard.net [mailto:
 apple-c...@virtualorchard.net] *On Behalf Of *Arthur Kelly
 *Sent:* Thursday, July 29, 2010 5:37 PM
 *To:* Apple-Crop
 *Subject:* Re: Apple-Crop: A discussion of the vision of doing business



 See Peter Drucker, The Five Deadly Business Sins



 Art Kelly, Kelly Orchards, Acton, ME

 On Thu, Jul 29, 2010 at 7:26 PM, David Barclay dcbarc...@optonline.net
 wrote:

 John,
 I think the bottom line regarding the fair price is that we are all subject
 to the market of our products. That said, - there are many examples in the
 produce markets of producers creating their own brands and farm retailers
 providing exceptional products, services and activities which command the
 extra gross income. I remember in the 1970's buying a brand of peaches
 called Sunny Slope. These peaches would consistently cost 25% more that the
 average marks. And, - they were 25% better, bigger size and more consistent
 quality. You know what? The retailer made more money on the Sunny Slopes,
 less waste and more appeal to the retail customer. My Dad and Mom started
 baking apple pies in 1960 for our new farm market. The pies were really
 good, - the best apples for flavor and homemade crust., perfect spices -
 baked to a golden brown. Dad set the price back then at $1.25 for a 9 pie.
 You couldn't keep up with the demand. We worked 7 days a week to build the
 business. Hundreds of pies were sold, - then thousands, - then 10's of
 thousands. Was that a fair price? Well, - I guess so because the volume was
 the answer. Today I look back and think Dad was pretty lucky but for sure he
 had a vision of what would sell and have appeal. I think this opportunity
 exists for everyone in agriculture.

 David Barclay
 Colts Neck, New Jersey




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 webmas...@virtualorchard.net.

 Apple-Crop is not moderated. Therefore, the statements do not represent
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Re: Apple-Crop: Attaching trees to trellis

[Michael Vaughn]

William,
I am a rookie start up planting a total of 2000 trees over 2 yrs.  This is
my second yr. I used guidance and lessons from Rutgers Ag Extension and Mr.
Win Cowgill.   I laid out my rows with a string line, sprayed Orange marker
paint on the ground down the line.  Then placed 'X's every 3 feet.  at 30ft
intervals I used 5-6 treated posts driven into the ground via a pile driver
attached to a skid steer as support posts for the wire.   There are 10 trees
between posts planted via an auger digging the holes 18 Dia X 18 deep.
Then I strung the wire on the outside of the posts as you have indicated
and loosely supported the root stock via plastic clips to the wire. I am in
the Endless Mts area of Pennsylvannia where the wind is powerful and
frequent. I have had no injury so far against the wire.  By the way I have
nearly 100% survival to date of the trees planted.  All that bloomed within
2 weeks of planting produced blossoms and went through what appears to be a
normal seasonal cycle.  So much for year 1.
I am very interested in Organic production but have much to learn.   Slow
but sure!


On 2/11/10, Fleming, William w...@montana.edu wrote:

 Nick, the way it works when you use a tractor drawn tree planter is the
 logical place for the trellis poles is in the groove made by the planter.
 If you attach the wire to the outside of the post with stapes the wire ends
 up half the post width out of line with the tree row.
 That usually ends up being the 3-4 inches you mentioned.
 Even if you don't use a planter better that the posts are in line with the
 tree row, wire will then be offset from the row.

 Other things I've learned:
 Rather than placing the trellis posts halfway between trees place them
 close to the tree. Depending on your tree spacing placing the post midway
 creates a small dead space that's harder to deal with for weed control.
 This is especially true if you're organic and using mechanical weed control
 but the post can also create a herbicide spray shadow.
 With the post close to the tree you end up with one extra small space and
 another space almost equal to your tree spacing.

 Using water to set the posts is the best method I've found. I made a tee
 shaped handle with 3/4 steel pipe, valve on the top of the tee.
 Since we were using 4-5 posts I attached a 6 inch long piece of 4 pipe at
 the bottom of the tee. It was cut, bent, and welded to a point with a 1/2
 outlet at the bottom for the water to exit. Water at 80 psi from a sprayer
 is plenty. Volume is more important than pressure.
 With a two man crew we could set a very solid post in less than 30 seconds.
 One guy with the water, the other sets the post and plumbs it. You have to
 work very fast before soil suspended in the water settled, if it takes more
 than a second before the water drill is pulled out of the hole and the post
 is set it won't be as deep as you want.
 The way it worked seemed excellent to me. Rocks and gravel would settle at
 the bottom of the post hole creating good drainage for the post. The fine
 silt that settled out of the water rapidly set up almost like concrete.
 Much faster than an auger, less expense than a tractor mounted pounder.






 Bill Fleming
 Montana State University
 Western Ag Research Center
 580 Quast Ln
 Corvallis, MT 59828
 (406)961-3025

 -Original Message-
 From: apple-crop@virtualorchard.net [mailto:apple-c...@virtualorchard.net]
 On Behalf Of Nick Lucking
 Sent: Wednesday, February 10, 2010 10:49 PM
 To: apple-crop@virtualorchard.net
 Subject: RE: Apple-Crop: Attaching trees to trellis

 Bill,

 That's good to know.

 On that note, when I plant these new trees should they be planted
 directly inline with the trellis system?  Or be 2-3, or more inches
 off the wire initially?  Thanks for the help, my horticulture degree
 did not quite cover this!

 Nick Lucking
 Field Manager
 Cannon Valley Orchard
 Cannon Falls, MN


 --

 The 'Apple-Crop' LISTSERV is sponsored by the Virtual Orchard
 http://www.virtualorchard.net and managed by Win Cowgill and Jon
 Clements webmas...@virtualorchard.net.

 Apple-Crop is not moderated. Therefore, the statements do not represent
 official opinions and the Virtual Orchard takes no responsibility for
 the content.







 --

 The 'Apple-Crop' LISTSERV is sponsored by the Virtual Orchard
 http://www.virtualorchard.net and managed by Win Cowgill and Jon
 Clements webmas...@virtualorchard.net.

 Apple-Crop is not moderated. Therefore, the statements do not represent
 official opinions and the Virtual Orchard takes no responsibility for
 the content.








-- 
Michael D. Vaughn
Owner / Manager
Pie-In-the-Sky Orchards

Re: Apple-Crop: Apples in Afghanistan

[Michael Vaughn]

I would agree that agriculture leading to more food to eat locally would
help any nation.  However our government (State Department) might not be the
best vehicle for that effort.

The last two years the state dep't has supplied afghan opium farmers with
wheat seed and fertilizer for acreage trading in hopes they would expand
acreage for crops and reduce Opium production.  The reports from the UN and
other's show the afghan's did in fact reduce the acreage used for Opium.
However the fertilizer was used to improve the reduced Opium fields and
increase the overall Opium Production (Volume).  The wheat was grown in
limited production.

So the question is how do you reduce the thousand's of years of
traditional Opium Production while promoting food based agriculture?
Especially at taxpayer expense!

On 1/13/10, Bill Shoemaker wshoe...@illinois.edu wrote:

 I have a colleague who just returned from Afganistan. He was very happy
 with his service there. He feels he's contributing to the effort to build a
 stable society. They may make more money with drug crops but they have
 neigbors who need to eat.

 Bill



Happy New Year to all,
 
I read an interesting piece on Reuters News
yesterday. I see that some more US agricultural
advisors will be sent to Afghanistan, though I
wonder if it is realistic to suggest to farmers
there that nuts and apples will give higher returns
than opium. I'm sure that I am preaching to the
converted here when I suggest that apple growing is
hardly a highly profitable venture.
 
Con Traas
 
 
 
http://in.reuters.com/article/southAsiaNews/idINIndia-45331820100112
 
 
 
KABUL (Reuters) - Interrupted by the occasional
whirring of military helicopters overhead, the U.S.
agriculture chief sipped pomegranate juice with
Afghan farmers, who told him not enough
international aid was getting through.
 
Wrapping up a three-day visit to Afghanistan on
Tuesday, Tom Vilsack met the farmers -- representing
pomegranate and apple growers -- at an fruit juice
export plant in Kabul, part funded by the United
States which has made agriculture the biggest
non-security priority in the country.
 
Seated outside, the farmers complained of lack of
credit facilities -- something Vilsack is looking
into -- and problems in the entire farming chain,
from acquiring seeds to a lack of refrigeration and
getting goods to market during a war.
 
We hear of pledges of funding but we have not seen
anything yet, said Haji Ghulam Dastageen, an apple
and apricot farmer from Paktia province. We are
looking forward to getting assistance from the
international community and from the (agriculture)
ministry, he added via a translator.
 
Vilsack, who pointed to the U.S.-funded juice
factory behind him as proof of U.S. commitment,
later announced an additional $20 million in aid to
help improve Afghanistan's agriculture ministry
deliver services to farmers.
 
After decades of conflict, Afghanistan lacks many
of the personnel and knowledge resources needed to
deliver much-needed services to its people, more
than 80 percent of whom rely on agriculture for
wages and sustenance, he said at a news conference
announcing the funds.
 
Last year, the United States spent about $300
million on agriculture projects in Afghanistan and
projected spending this year is more than $400
million. Vilsack also promised to send more U.S.
agricultural advisors.
 
The hope is that funds spent bolstering
Afghanistan's agriculture ministry will improve
delivery of services to the country's farmers and
thus boost confidence in central government and draw
support away from the Taliban.
 
FARMER-TO-FARMER
 
A farm owner himself, Vilsack peppered the Afghan
farmers with questions from how they got their water
to what they needed in terms of credit facilities
and packaging to protect goods currently bruised en
route to market.
 
The United States and other allies are looking at a
range of credit options for farmers in the hope they
can wean many from growing opium poppy, which fuels
the Taliban insurgency.
 
The goal is to provide up-front funds for wheat but
also higher-value products such as table grapes,
nuts and apples in the hope they will get better
returns than opium. Afghanistan produces nearly all
of the world's opium, used to make heroin.
 
We are looking forward to receiving loans ... we
also want low interest, said Haji Yaseen, another
apple grower from Paktia province.
 
Farmers everywhere want that, laughed Vilsack, a
former governor from the U.S. farming state of Iowa.
 
The Obama administration has promised to present a
list of credit options to the Afghan agriculture
ministry by March. The plan is to offer credit
facilities like those 

Re: Apple-Crop: Scaffolds 3/23

[Michael Vaughn]

I am planting the first stage of Orchards this April. I read your report
with a special eye on the
Brown Marmorated Stinkbug.  I live about 20 min east of Allentown, Pa. and
have seen my home and our neighbors deeply invaded by this insect the past
4-5 years.

My concern is I travel to my farm in Susquehanna County, Pa. frequently.  Of
course I bring an overnight bag most times and carry clothes and various
articles to the farm.  I am certain that this bug will find its way to the
farm via my mobile connection.

What can / should I do to protect my infant trees  fruit from this pest?
Given my proximity to the Cornell area: is there any program of
study/research out of Cornell that would/could profit from my efforts?


On 3/25/09, Art Agnello a...@nysaes.cornell.edu wrote:

  A new issue of Scaffolds Fruit Newsletter for the week of 3/23 has been
 posted at:

 http://www.nysaes.cornell.edu/ent/scaffolds/2009/090323.pdf

 and contains the following items:

 General Info
- New year of Scaffolds Intro
- Spring meetings/events reminders
 Chem News
- Product registration update
- Tree fruit herbicide update
 Diseases
 - Fungicide supply complications
 - Reduce scab inoculum now
 Insects
 - Brown marmorated stinkbug
 Phenologies
 Pest Focus
 Upcoming Pest Events



 --

 Arthur M. Agnello
 Professor and Extension Tree Fruit Entomologist
 Dept. of Entomologya...@cornell.edu
 N.Y.S. Agric. Expt. Sta.Tel: 315-787-2341
 630 W. North St. Fax: 315-787-2326
 Geneva, NY  14456-1371  http://www.nysaes.cornell.edu/ent/faculty/agnello
 Scaffolds Fruit Journal online:
 http://www.nysaes.cornell.edu/ent/scaffolds/




-- 
Michael Vaughn
Owner  Manager
Pie-In the -Sky Orchards
Susquehanna County, Pa.