PROSSER, Wash. – Washington State University’s annual Cherry Field Day is coming up June 6. A full afternoon of research updates followed by an orchard tour are planned. A free lunch hosted by Wilson Orchard and Vineyard Supply begins at noon at the WSU Prosser Irrigated Agriculture Research and Extension Center (IAREC).
The afternoon’s agenda starts at 1:30 and includes updates on:
- The Wash. and Oregon cherry breeding program, WSU cherry breeder Nnadozie Oraguzie;
- UFO plantings and training systems,
- WSU horticulturist Matt Whiting
- Rootstock plot observation, Michigan State University pomologist Amy Iezzoni and Washington Tree Fruit Research Commissioner Tom Auvil,
- Demonstration of solid-set canopy delivery system, Matt Whiting, and WSU biosystems engineers Manoj Karkee, Ajay Sharda and Suzanne Neimann
- Demonstration of shake and catch harvest technology, WSU biosystems engineers Long He, Jiangfeng (Austin) Zhou, Peter Ako Larbi, and Suraj Amatya
- Demonstration of harvest monitoring system, WSU biosystems engineer Yiannis Ampatzidis
Other topics include post bloom thinning, Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission updates on internal program activities, and the prediction and prevention of cherry cracking.
At 3:30 there will be a tour of the Olsen Brothers Ranches third-leaf UFO block. The block is home to multiple varieties, including Santina, Early Robin, Benton, Kiona, on multiple rootstocks, including Giesela 6 and 12. During the tour, experts will talk about training systems, establishment, yield management, and the successes and challenges of UFO systems.
WSU Prosser IAREC is located at 24106 N. Bunn Road. Directions to the orchard tour from the Olsen Brothers Ranches offices (46002 N. District Line Road, Prosse: Head south on N. District Line Road, turn west between Hanks and OIE (Old Inland Empire) Rd., where the turn will be marked with signs.
For more information, contact Tracie Arnold, Project Coordinator and Communications Specialist, at 509-786-9249.
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