PROSSER, Wash. — The 2011 WSU Cherry Field Day is slated for June 8, 2011. The WSU Cherry Field Day is being held in conjunction with the Oregon State University Cherry Pre-Harvest Tour in The Dalles, Oregon. Orchard tours will begin in The Dalles on June 7th, and then move to the Yakima Valley on June 8, ending at the WSU Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center in Prosser for demonstrations and research presentations at the WSU Roza experimental orchards.
“We are excited to combine our event this year with the OSU Pre-harvest tour,” said Matt Whiting, associate professor and extension specialist at WSU-IAREC. “Our collaboration with OSU for a two-day event, along with an earlier date than we usually have for cherry field day, will hopefully make it easier for cherry growers to attend. Since we are looking at a later harvest this year, our event should have no conflicts at all for cherry growers in the area.”
The morning of the 8th will begin with orchard tours in the Buena and Outlook, Wash. areas, wrapping up with a BBQ lunch at the WSU-IAREC picnic area.
The afternoon’s program will consist of a tour of the WSU Roza Experimental Orchards. Topics of discussion will include: Washington-Oregon cherry breeding program updates; applying genetic/genomic tools to sweet cherries; and the demonstration of new cherry harvest technologies.
In addition, staff from Wilson Orchard & Vineyard Supply have arranged for photos and fingerprinting during lunch to assist growers in obtaining the newly required federal explosives permit for bird control. Beginning May 1, 2011, the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives will require all users of Explosive Pest Devices (EPCD) to have a federal explosives permit. Items subject to this requirement are: bird bombs/bangers, bird whistlers/bird screamers, and shell crack/shot tell.
Discounted room rates are available on June 7th at the Days inn & Suites in Toppenish, WA. Call (509) 865-7444 to make a reservation. Please mention the WSU/OSU Cherry Field Day and Orchard Tour to receive the discounted rate. WSU would like to thank Northwest Agricultural Products in Pasco and Wilson Irrigation & Orchard Supply in Yakima for sponsoring this year’s event.
A detailed agenda is available at http://bit.ly/cherryfd2011.