Fruits

Michigan throws fruit industry lifeline with loan program

Michigan fruit growers are poised to receive a second source of disaster loans.A state bill creating emergency aid to farmers whose crops were devastated by unseasonably warm spring weather has passed the state House and... more »

New standards worry cranberry industry

The federal government is expected to propose new nutrition standards soon that could leave a bitter taste in the mouths of cranberry growers from Massachusetts to Wisconsin.To address childhood obesity in America, an effort spurred... more »

Governor honors Graceland Fruit, Inc. as the Michigan Agriculture Exporter of the Year

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) has selected Graceland Fruit, Inc. of Frankfort, Mich., as the "Michigan Agriculture Exporter of the Year."The company was honored with a presentation of the Michigan Agriculture... more »

Study shows stone fruits can help thwart obesity

Peaches, plums and nectarines have bioactive compounds that can potentially ward off obesity-related diabetes and cardiovascular disease, according to new studies by Texas AgriLife Research.The findings, which will be presented at the 244th American Chemical... more »

Report: Produce prices fluctuate in first quarter 2012

Fruit prices have managed to hold steady while the majority of vegetable products decreased in average retail price compared to the first quarter of 2011, according to the latest FreshFacts on Retail quarterly report from... more »

Under what circumstances would it be profitable to harvest tart cherries?

The frost damage in 2012 will result in extremely low tart cherry yields that most growers have not experienced since 2002. Some growers with portions of blocks with a partial fruit crop are thinking under... more »

Dry weather threatens northeast Ohio fruit crops

Northeast Ohio fruit growers whose fields were flooded by rain last year say their crops are threatened by the opposite conditions this year, with a forecast dominated by dry weather.The Plain Dealer in Cleveland reports... more »

One dead, one injured in cherry chopper crash

A passenger died and the pilot was seriously injured June 12 when a helicopter drying cherries in an East Wenatchee orchard crashed.The helicopter's main rotor clipped a power line, causing it to crash in the... more »