TPP seen as longer term help to tree fruit. Ag Minute Oct. 20, 2015

The Trans-Pacific Partnership doesn't include China and isn't likely to push pears and apples into Japan, but it may help Northwest tree fruit exports to Southeast Asia. Click here for full story.

U.S.-Mexico apple dumping still unresolved. Ag Minute Oct. 19, 2015

Nine months after it started, a case alleging U.S. apple dumping in Mexico still hangs over the Washington apple industry. Washington hit record shipments there last season but is unlikely to this season. Click here for full story.

WSDA studies how to keep waste from spreading apple maggots. Ag Minute for Oct. 9, 2015

The Washington State Department of Agriculture has hired three experts to study how to keep organic waste from spoiling the state's $2 billion apple industry. Click here for full story.

Apple harvest could finish early. Ag Minute for WA Sept 14, 2015

An early start may mean an early finish of the normally three-month Washington apple harvest. There's a lot of small fruit and some quality issues because of prolonged, excessive heat in June. Click here for full story.

Apple price recovery may take time, expert says. Ag Minute for Aug 25, 2015

Washington wholesale apple prices should rise this season due to a smaller U.S. crop, but they still may take time to rebuild. Click here for full story.

Price rebound predicted for Washington apples. Ag Minute for Aug 11, 2015

The Washington apple industry is hoping for better prices in the 2015-2016 sales season off a 2015 crop expected to be 10.5 percent less than last year's crop. Click here for full story.

Canadian official warns of possible retaliation for COOL. Ag Minute for July 20, 2015

As retaliatory tariffs loom, Canadian trade officials are urging the U.S. Senate to follow the House of Representatives' lead in voting to repeal mandatory country-of-origin labeling of meat. Click here for full story.

2014 apple crop still shrinking. Ag Minute for Jun 17, 2015

Packers continue to shrink remaining amounts of Washington's huge 2014 apple crop to reduce carryover into the upcoming crop and try to improve wholesale prices. Click here for full story.

Apple growers on fire blight watch - AgMinute for May 12, 2015

Washington state may escape its fire blight danger zone relatively unscathed, but growers in New York are on the bubble, a tree fruit specialist says. Click here for the full story

USDA to make $18.3 million bonus apple buy - AgMinute for May 5, 2015

The USDA is making its largest bonus buy of apples and processed apple products in history to help out with an oversupply of apples from the 2014 harvest. Click here for the full story

U.S. firm buys Canadian GM apple company - AgMinute for March 5, 2015

The Canadian company that developed a genetically modified apple is being purchased by a U.S. firm. The transaction is to be completed in the first half of this year. Click here for the full story

USDA approves GM apples developed in Canada - AgMinute for February 16, 2015

The USDA has deregulated two genetically modified apples, saying they are unlikely to pose any risk, but the Canadian company developing them may have a hard time finding growers. Click here for the full story

Russian ban hurts Washington apples - AgMinute for August 8, 2014

Loss of Russia as an export market puts the squeeze on the Washington apple industry to find other buyers for about $12 million worth of apples. Click here for the full story

Organic apples may run out sooner than usual - AgMinute for April 10, 2014

Prices and demand for organic apples are so good that Washington shippers will run out of them sooner this season. Marketers say it's fueled by a growing organic lifestyle and retailers willing to trim profit margins. Click here for the full story

Russian troubles may hurt apple, pear exports - AgMinute for March 18, 2014

U.S. sanctions on Russia could result in loss of U.S. apple and pear markets there. Meanwhile, Washington apple industry remains locked out of China. Click here for the full story

Canadian trade war — AgMinute for June 11, 2013

The Canadian government on June 7 signaled it may impose retaliatory tariffs on more than three dozen American commodities, including beef, pork, rice, corn, apples, cherries and wine, as a result of the U.S.' mandatory country-of-origin labeling law.

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Too few workers — AgMinute for Nov. 27, 2012

A recent USDA report suggests Pacific Northwest farms and ranches employed more workers who put in longer hours this fall than during the prior harvest season. Despite the substantial labor increases, growers in some agricultural sectors, especially apple orchards, still came up short for workers.

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Farmer versus Rancher — Podcast for Nov. 23, 2012

In this podcast, editors and reporters talk about why Idaho farmers are confident about the battle for the state House leadership, the strong market for Northwest pears, and what a USDA study on the profitability of off-farm businesses means for growers.

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Dairies forced to hold 'em or fold 'em - Podcast for Oct. 26, 2012

In this podcast, editors and reporters look out why and how struggling dairy farms are abandoning the business, how researchers are using genetic engineering to create crop cultivars that still avoid biotech regulations, and the outcome of this year’s apple harvest.

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AgMinute for Sept. 7, 2012

Idaho apple production in 2012 is expected to be up from last year, as better weather resulted in more ideal growing conditions for fruit crops.

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