Research at Cornell University has uncovered a new apple disease.  Paecilomyces rot is caused by infection by the Paecilomyces niveus mold.  While it looks similar to other postharvest apple diseases (like blue rot, apple ring rot, bull’s-eye rot, black rot and bitter rot) and produces the same harmful patulin toxin, Paecilomyces rot is unique and especially pervasive for the fact it can survive high temperatures.  Therefore, human exposure to patulin can occur even from pasteurized apple products - like juices and syrups - made from Paecilomyces niveus-infected apples.

Croptracker, Inc. is excited to announce a long-term adoption and service level agreement of its crop management and record-keeping software by Mr Apple New Zealand Ltd. Mr Apple is New Zealand’s largest fully-integrated grower, packer, and marketer of apples.

Bordering crops with wildflower plantings is becoming an increasingly popular method to attract pollinators and pest predators.  But are wildflower borders appropriate for all growers?  Are there wildflower species that can actually hinder yields?

Canada, Mexico, and the United States said farewell to NAFTA this week and struck a new trilateral free trade agreement.