News & Events

Scientific Research Specialist job opening

The Scientific Research Assistant, based at the University of Maine’s Highmoor Farm, will be responsible for assisting with research projects in support of the tree fruit program led by Dr. Renae Moran. This is a 4-year, grant-funded (USDA Specialty Crops Research Initiative) position to study cold hardiness in apple trees. As time allows, this position […]

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Spotted Wing Drosophila and Berry Notes: October 11, 2024

David Handley, Vegetable and Small Fruit Specialist; James Dill, Pest Management Specialist, Phil Fanning, Assistant Professor of Agricultural Entomology, Christina Howard, Maine New Farmer Project Manager This will be the final issue of the Spotted Wing Drosophila Alert for the 2024 season. We hope you have found the information helpful and welcome your feedback. Spotted […]

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Spotted Wing Drosophila and Berry Notes — October 4, 2024

David Handley, Vegetable and Small Fruit Specialist; James Dill, Pest Management Specialist, Phil Fanning, Assistant Professor of Agricultural Entomology, Christina Howard, Maine New Farmer Project Manager Spotted Wing Drosophila: Fly counts in our vinegar/yeast traps this week were very similar to last week (see table below). For growers still harvesting late ripening fruit, we recommend […]

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Tree Fruit Newsletter — October 1, 2024

In this newsletter: Maturity Report New England Vegetable and Fruit Conference announcement Fall Herbicide Reminders, excerpted from the CCE-ENYCHP newsletter Maturity Report McIntosh has reached a stage where drop has occurred in orchards not treated with ReTain or Harvista. Trees that have not been harvested yet have 40% drop. Cortland ripening has reached a stage […]

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Spotted Wing Drosophila Alert and Berry Notes — September 27, 2024

David Handley, Vegetable and Small Fruit Specialist; James Dill, Pest Management Specialist, Phil Fanning, Assistant Professor of Agricultural Entomology, Christina Howard, Maine New Farmer Project Manager Spotted Wing Drosophila: Fly counts in our vinegar/yeast traps this week were moderately higher than last week (see table below). Growers that have spread out their spray intervals in […]

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Tree Fruit Newsletter — September 23, 2024

Maturity Report and Storage Reminders Peaches and Plums Peach harvest was completed this week. Long John plums will be ready to pick soon. If you need to store them longer than a few days, they can be picked now. Apples McIntosh has reached a stage where it is ok for short-term storage. If you still […]

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Spotted Wing Drosophila Alert and Berry Notes — September 20, 2024

David Handley, Vegetable and Small Fruit Specialist; James Dill, Pest Management Specialist, Phil Fanning, Assistant Professor of Agricultural Entomology, Christina Howard, Maine New Farmer Project Manager Spotted Wing Drosophila: Fly counts in our vinegar/yeast traps this week were mostly moderate, similar to last week’s counts, likely due to cool night temperatures, dry conditions and spray […]

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Tree Fruit Newsletter — September 16, 2024

Maturity Report and Storage Reminders Peaches Peaches ready this week: 2nd picking for Messina and 1st for Autumnstar. Both are good varieties. We are also picking Castleton plums. I am finding much less brown rot now that the weather has turned dry. The quality of peaches after a week in cold storage is also better […]

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Spotted Wing Drosophila Alert and Berry Notes — September 13, 2024

David Handley, Vegetable and Small Fruit Specialist; James Dill, Pest Management Specialist, Phil Fanning, Assistant Professor of Agricultural Entomology, Christina Howard, Maine New Farmer Project Manager Spotted Wing Drosophila: Fly counts in our vinegar/yeast traps this week were lower in all locations, likely due to cooler night and morning temperatures (see table below). Counts were still […]

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