Fruit Production
Browse past conference presentations highlighting research updates, best practices, and emerging trends in fruit production across Utah and the Intermountain West.
Small Fruit Research for the Northern Rockies – harvest methods, labor, and cultivar-specific fruit and juice characteristics (2021)
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This talk will focus on haskap (honeyberry), but also will include information on aronia, currants, dwarf sour cherries, elderberry, and saskatoons in the Cold Hardy Fruit Trial at the Montana State University Western Agricultural Research Center (Corvallis, MT). Harvest methods will focus on a low-tech small-scale system, and haskap cultivar information will include pre-harvest drop rates and resilience to mechanical harvest.
Fruits for Small Acreage: The Annual Meeting of the Utah Berry Growers Association (2021)
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This presentation introduces fruit production strategies tailored to small farms and limited land spaces. Viewers will learn how to select fruit crops and varieties well-suited to their climate, soil, and market goals, as well as best practices for planting, pruning, irrigation, and pest management. The session also covers layout planning, labor considerations, and cost-effective methods to maximize productivity and profitability on small acreage.
Alternative Berry and Small Fruit Crops for the Intermountain West (2021)
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Honeyberries, Serviceberries, and More: There are market opportunities for berries and small fruits with great flavors, health benefits, and potential for mechanized harvest. Over the last six years, Montana State University’s Western Ag Research Center has been evaluating ~50 varieties of seven cold-hardy, bush fruit types including Haskaps/honeyberries, Red and Black Currants, Aronia, Serviceberries, Dwarf Sour Cherries, and Elderberry. Differences among species and varieties in markets, yields, hardiness, and pest management will be discussed.
New Raspberry Cultivars (2021)
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Strengths and weakness of new commercial raspberry cultivars with comparisons to current standards. Potential for production, season extension and local sales.
New Blackberry Cultivars and North Carolina Blackberry Industry (2021)
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The blackberry industry has emerged as a significant “new” crop in the southeastern US. A key component of this growth has been new cultivars that are very productive, ship well and taste great. This presentation will be a brief look at the history of this crop in the region and some of the new cultivars that continue to enable the continued success of this industry.
Raspberry Season Extension Research Update (2021)
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This presentation shares the latest research findings on extending the raspberry production season to improve yields and market opportunities. Viewers will learn about season extension techniques such as variety selection, high tunnels, and cultural practices that influence flowering and fruiting timing. The session also highlights practical results from recent trials, management recommendations, and considerations for adopting season extension strategies in different growing conditions.
A High Tunnel System for Early Production of Fall Raspberries: Varieties (2022)
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This presentation will explain basic management practices for red raspberries and addresses the challenges Utah growers experience. Additionally, research results from a variety trial that took place at USU's Greenville Farm will be discussed.
Strawberry Production Approaches for the Intermountain West (2022)
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Strawberry can be a profitable crop for local sales. There are several production systems, some of which might be more appropriate to the Intermountain West than others. This talk will overview strawberry management systems and provide research results from trials in Cache Valley.
Growing Day-Neutral Strawberries in Central Oregon- High Tunnel and Field (2022)
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This presentation will include results from a two-year research trial on strawberry production in the high desert region of Central Oregon (Bend area). In collaboration with local growers, we trialed four day-neutral strawberry cultivars (Albion, Evie 2, Mara des Bois and Seascape) in the field and in high tunnels over two growing seasons. I will share yield results from the growing systems and cultivars, and preferences and recommendations based on our experience.
Transplant Production Approaches and Tomato Performance (2022)
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Recent advances in indoor gardening technology have made it easier for the small-scale grower to start their own transplant plugs. This presentation compares the results of tomato transplant plugs grown in a greenhouse versus an indoor space with LED light technology. Both types of plugs were followed through an entire season and harvest results were compared. Starting one's own seed allows for increased flexibility on what, how and when plants are grown.
Raspberry Cultivars for Utah (2023)
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This presentation focuses on selecting raspberry cultivars that perform well under Utah’s diverse growing conditions. Viewers will learn about the differences between summer-bearing and primocane-bearing varieties, key traits such as cold hardiness, yield, flavor, and disease resistance, and how cultivar choice impacts season length and management needs. The session also provides research-based recommendations and practical tips to help growers choose the right cultivars for their location and production goals.
High Tunnel Strawberry Production (2023)
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This presentation explores how high tunnels can be used to enhance strawberry production by extending the growing season, improving fruit quality, and increasing yields. Viewers will learn about tunnel design considerations, cultivar selection, planting schedules, and temperature and moisture management. The session also covers pest and disease management in protected systems, cost considerations, and practical tips for successfully integrating high tunnels into strawberry operations.
Mistakes to Avoid in Planning Tree Fruit and Tree Nut Orchards in Northern Utah (2023)
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Learn the most common pitfalls growers face when establishing new orchards in Northern Utah. This session breaks down issues related to site selection, soil and water limitations, climate challenges, variety choice, and long-term orchard management. Gain practical insights to help you avoid costly missteps and set your tree fruit or tree nut operation up for long-term success.
Common Fruit Pests (2023)
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This presentation will cover the most common fruit pests in the state of Utah and how to combat them.
Basics of Grafting Apples (2023)
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Get a foundational look at why and how apple grafting is done, from choosing compatible rootstocks to making successful graft unions. This overview walks through essential techniques, timing, tools, and aftercare so growers can confidently propagate apple trees, improve orchard resilience, and customize varieties for their operation.
Cold Injury (2023)
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This collection of resources provides a comprehensive overview of how frost and freeze events affect fruit tree buds, flowers, and developing fruit. The presentation and recording introduce key concepts, while supporting guides outline critical temperature thresholds, how to assess cold injury, and practical strategies for frost protection. Drawing from Utah State University, Michigan State University, and Colorado State University expertise, these materials help growers evaluate damage, understand risk, and implement effective management practices to safeguard their orchards.
Growing Pomegranates in Utah (2024)
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This session explores the potential for successfully growing pomegranates in Utah’s unique climate. Learn about variety selection, site requirements, cold protection, irrigation needs, and overall management practices that support healthy plants and consistent fruiting. A great resource for growers interested in expanding into this emerging specialty crop.
A Citizen Science Approach to Identifying Locally Adapted Apple and Peach Trees (2024)
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Explore how community-driven data collection can help pinpoint apple and peach trees that thrive in specific local climates. This session highlights the power of citizen science in tracking tree performance, identifying resilient varieties, and supporting region-adapted fruit production through collaborative research.
Utah Consumer Preferences for Local and Organic Fruit (2024)
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To better understand the needs of Utah’s farmers, ranchers, and small food makers related to value-added food production and processing, Utah State University conducted a needs assessment study where data was collected through two online surveys conducted in early 2024. This provides an overview of the survey results related to respondents, their operation, products, and marketing outlets.
Diseases of Large and Small Fruit in Utah (2024)
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Get an overview of the most important diseases affecting fruit crops across Utah. This session covers management and prevention strategies. Designed to help growers quickly identify problems and protect fruit quality throughout the season.
Considerations for Planning and Planting a Home Orchard (2024)
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This session guides homeowners through the essential steps of establishing a successful backyard orchard. Learn how to choose the right site, select appropriate fruit varieties, prepare soil, plan spacing and layout, and set young trees up for healthy, long-term growth. Perfect for anyone looking to start a productive and manageable home orchard.
Evaluation of Hardy Grapes for Northern Utah (2024)
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This session highlights research on cold-hardy grape varieties suited for Northern Utah’s challenging climate. Learn which cultivars show the best performance in terms of winter survival, fruit quality, vigor, and overall productivity. A helpful resource for growers looking to select reliable grape varieties for local conditions.
Orchards - High Density Management System with Relativity to Small Scale (2025)
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High Density Management system w/relativity to small scale. "In the last 30 years there has been a shift in orchard canopies from large and complex to narrow and compact. These modern training systems maximize fruit production per land area and increase worker efficiency. This presentation will focus on principles behind, establishment, and maintenance of high-density orchard canopy architectures".
Soil Management for Fruit Trees (2025)
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Explore the essential principles of building and maintaining healthy soil for productive fruit trees. This session covers soil structure, nutrient management, organic matter, drainage, and how to identify and correct common soil problems. Gain practical guidance to help your orchard thrive from the ground up.
Biostimulants: Applications in Watermelon Production (2025)
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The impacts of climate change and drought threaten water supplies crucial for watermelon production. Rising fertilizer costs and off-site effects also pose problems for the sustainability of watermelon production. Biostimulants have shown promise in maintaining production under deficit irrigation conditions and may offset fertility addition through ecosystem services and stimulatory effects. This presentation will give an overview of biostimulant products and their possible uses in vegetable production. It will also present results from experiments conducted at Utah State University.
Apples- Crop Load Management/ Fruit Thinning Strategies (2025)
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Apple thinning is a critical annual task in which the majority of flowers/fruit are intentionally removed to improve size and quality of the remaining fruit and promote return bloom for the following year. Blossom and fruitlet thinning principles and strategies for thinning will be discussed in this presentation.
Heat Stress in Peaches and Apples: What does it look like, how does it happen, and what can I do? (2025)
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In the past few years, we’ve had multiple incidents where peach and cherry trees experienced high incidence of “double” or “twin” fruit. As it turns out, these fruit deformities are the result of earlier heat or drought stress. This presentation will explore what this looks like, when the heat stress occurred and what orchardists need to watch out for in order to reduce future problems.
Beating the Heat and Mulching in Raspberries (2025)
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This presentation will cover two topics related to improving red raspberry production: 1) the use of soil-biodegradable and non-biodegradable plastic mulches as an establishment tool for new plantings and 2) impacts of various heat mitigation strategies on yield, fruit quality, and overall plant stress. Specific heat mitigation technologies that will be covered includes biostimulants, evaporative cooling using microsprinklers, and shade cloth.