Horticulture Notes

I know some of you are wondering why you had not heard from us. I have received a few calls from growers asking if their names might have been removed from our mailing list, and the answer is no. The reason why you have not heard form us is that we thought that during September and October, you are so busy with harvest that you would probably have no time to read our newsletter. So now after a two month relapse here are some news that should be of interest to you.

1998 apple production in Vermont, the USA and the world

Although final statistics have not been compiled, the USDA has revised the 1998 apple forecast. Apple production is estimated to be at 265.6 million bushels. This estimate is lower than expected in August. Even with this reduction, the1998 crop is forecasted to be the 2nd largest and only 3 percent below the 1994 record crop. This decrease is attributed to unfavorable weather during the latter part of the growing season. North Carolina had the most significant decrease forecasted with a 13% decline.

All of the New England states are forecasted to have much lower production than last year. Both Massachusetts and New Hampshire having the highest decrease with a 53% and 47% decease respectively. Vermont apple production is forecasted to be 25% lower than last year at an estimate of 714,000 bushels. In New England, poor weather conditions during bloom are blamed for this reduction.

Washington's production forecast was reduced by 2.5 million bushels due to an extended period of temperatures over 90 degrees. Sunburn, a reduction in fruit

size, and reduced quality have resulted from the severe hot conditions. Even with this reduction, Washington's 1998 apple crop looks to be the highest on record and 20 percent above last year.

The 1998 European apple production is forecasted to be at 382 million bushes, 1% lower than last year. Whereas the total Canadian production is not expected to change at 29.1 million bushels. The McIntosh crop in Canada will be 1% lower than last year.

Overall, apple production is expected to increase for the next five years with China's production increasing by 9.4% from 1996, and an expected increase up to 50% by the year 2005

Soil testing time

Just a reminder that is time to collect your soil samples for testing. Soil analysis tests gives you an assessment of acidity and fertility of the soil before the growing season. It is important to do this test, along with foliar analysis, to determine what are the fertilizer needs for your orchard. Soil and leaf testing is available through UVM Agricultural and Environmental Testing Laboratory. If you want soil test kits, you may call the soils lab at 802-656-3030 or me at 802-656-2824 or you may write to:

The University of Vermont

Agr. and Env. Testing Lab

Hills Science Bldg.

Burlington, VT 05405-0082

U.S. Senators J. Jeffords (R-Vt), Patty Murray (D-Wash), Slade Gorton (R-Wash) and Carl Lavine (D-Mich) have written a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala, that questioned the lawfulness of the FDA's proposal.

For information on how to contact your senators, or to review the senators' letter to Shalala check the new USApple website at http://www.usapple.org, or call Jim Cranney, USApple's Vice President of Industry and Services at 800-781-4443.

Vermont apple industry summit

Apples are an important component of Vermont's agricultural diversity and economy. The industry finances the support of labor, communities and business in the state with annual cash receipts estimated at $7.9 million in1997. This year, although apple production in the state was lower than last years', most growers were very satisfied with the size and the color of the fruit. Hopefully, this will translate to better prices for the growers.

Vermont apple growers are facing the same problems that are affecting the rest of the nation's growers: world oversupply of apples, poor economic times in export countries, and ever-increasing cheap exports from countries such as China. More than ever, Vermont growers will be under pressure to implement growing and marketing strategies that allows them to operate as 'least-cost suppliers".

Steve Justis, Marketing Specialist from the Vermont State Department of Agriculture approached me with the idea of organizing a grower's meeting to address issues of production and marketing in a global economy. With this idea in mind, we have decided to have a grower's workshop, "Survival Strategies For The New Millennium".

The meeting will be conducted as discussion groups format with group leaders or moderators who are knowledgeable in issues such as labor and marketing.

Information for this summit is enclosed in this letter. Please plan to attend. Your participation and suggestions are very important to the Extension Service and the State of Vermont for developing agendas. In addition, we have invited representatives for Senators Lehey and Jeffers so that they can take some of your suggestions with them to Washington.

Letter to Vermont Apple Growers

November 12, 1998

Dear Vermont Apple Grower:

What does the future hold for Vermont’s apple industry?

According to one industry expert, world supplies of apples are expected to increase by about 29 % by the year 2005. World population will likely increase about 22, leaving an even greater disparity between supply and demand than exists today.

The Vermont Apple Industry Summit scheduled for Thursday, December 10 will provide a forum for developing strategies for strengthening our relative position in the world apple market.

Please join us at the beautiful Cortina Inn in Kilington, Vermont, as we focus on major issues concerning your industry. We have invited knowledgeable individuals to lead discussions on several key issues: labor, farm records and credit, quality control, variety selections, marketing and production costs. Our format will allow considerable opportunity for participants to join discussions, offer solutions and, perhaps most importantly, help develop realistic strategies for surviving in the apple business at we move towards the next millennium .

Please plan to attend this summit; encourage your neighbor to attend, as well. If you need additional information, please give either of us a call. Working together, we can develop solutions to the challenges facing our industry.

Sincerely,

M. Elena Garcia Steven F. Justis

Tree Fruit Specialist Marketing Specialist

University of Vermont Vermont Department of Agriculture

(802) 656-2824 (802) 828-3827

Vermont Apple Industry Summit Schedule

Vermont Apple Industry Summit

Survival Strategies for the New Millennium

Cortina Inn, Route 4, Kilington

December 10, 1998

8:30 a.m.- 3:30 p.m.

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.

Morning Session

9:00      Welcome and orientation- Dr. Elena Garcia & Steve Justis

9:15       Labor Issues- Cris Laduke, Vermont Department of Employment &

              Training and Eleanor Brisson, Book-Ends, Shoreham

9:55      Break

10:05    Quality Control/Horticultural Practices-Elena Garcia, Tree Fruit Specialist, University of Vermont

10:50    Variety Selections- John Ianacci, J.P. Sullivan & Co.

11:50    Break for lunch

Afternoon Session

12:45    Marketing- Steve Justis, Marketing Specialist, Vermont Department of Agriculture, Food & Markets

1:45      Profiting from your records- Rick Wackernagel, Extension Community Development and Applied Economics,

2:30     Apple Production Costs Survey- Introduction

3:00     Cost sharing possibilities -Reed Miller, Dwight Miller Orchards

3:30     Meeting Summary and Proposed Action Steps

4:15    Adjourn

Program Format

• Discussion leaders will give a 5-minute overview of the issue
• Group will spend 3-45 minutes discussing each issue
• Discussion leaders will summarize 2-3 major action points

Please use the attached Vermont Apple Industry Summit registration form

sponsored by

Vermont Tree Fruit Growers Association

Yes! I (we) plan to attend the Vermont Apple Industry Summit on Thursday, December 10.

Registration is $10.00 per person. Please make checks payable to: "Vermont Department of Agriculture" and mail to:

Burlington, VT 05405

Registration includes two refreshment breaks and lunch (Vermont turkey with sliced apple, melted cheddar & cranberry relish with dessert & choice of beverages).

*Register by Monday, November 30 to be eligible for valuable door prizes, including a gift certificate for lodging, dinner & breakfast for 2 at the Cortina Inn, Kilington, VT

IPM News

Contact Information

A Commitment to Excellence and Service:

We a committed to excellence and service to you. If you have any questions, problems or want to arrange for an orchard visit regarding your concerns, please call or write.

M. Elena Garcia
Tree Fruit Specialist
Plant and Soil Science Dept.
306 Hills Bldg.
University of Vermont
Burlington VT 05405-0082
Phone: 802/656-2824
Fax: 802/656-4656

For IPM questions contact: 

Lorraine P. Berkett
Plant Pathologist and IPM Specialist
Chair, Dept. of Plant & Soil Science
University of Vermont
Burlington, VT 05405
Phone: 802/656-0972
Fax: 802/656-4656

Where trade names or commercial products are used for identification, no discrimination is intended and no endorsement is implied. Always read the label before using any pesticide. The label is the legal document for theproduct use. Disregard any information in this newsletter if it is in conflict