Northwest Wholesale Organic Meeting

I need to begin with another comment on micro pigs to clarify a concern Natalie had after reading my last post. She thought that my suggestion of raising "organic micro pigs" sounded like I was planning on them as an edible farm commodity. Great Scott, No! When Bill heard that, he thought it was very funny. As he was cracking himself up he said, "Organic micro pigs could be the pork industry's answer to the Cornish game hen."

Right now I'm gazing adoringly at these two little micros that went face painting, and I'm wondering where does Bill get his sense of humor?

On Valentine's Day, we attended the annual Northwest Wholesale (NWW) Organic meeting. It is the only horticulture meeting that focuses completely on organic practices in North Central Washington. Here are some of the important points we brought home:

• Stimplex from Acadian Plant Sciences is a plant growth regulator that comes from seaweed and improves just about every attribute of a cherry crop according to the salesman. For best results apply three times over the development of the cherries from bloom until shuckfall. It also benefits apples. In particular, it can increase color if applied 14 -21 days before harvest. We're thinking our trellis block of Honeycrisp could benefit from this.
• In 2010, organic sales grew 12% and demand is still growing. Organic Galas and Honeycrisps are up 24% and Pinatas are up 190%. Fujis, reds and goldens are flat.
• There has been a 25% decline in organic cherry acreage probably because of the next bit of information. The price trend per box of organic cherries is flat. Input costs are up 70% since 1995.
• Organic farmers are going to lose antibiotics for fireblight control in 2014. This is true for conventional farmers as well. Hopefully, the industry task force, a subset of the National Organic Program, will come up with a successful biocontrol by then. Harold Austin of Zirkle Farms is a grower on the task force if farmers want to contribute input.
• Organic herbicides don't work. Tillage greatly lowers the soil's organic matter so organic input needs to be high! More reason to put on compost.
• DiPel  for leafroller control is best at temperatures above 65 degrees. Use the Decision Aid system and do 2 applications for 90% control. Three applications may be necessary for a summer generation. Don't tank mix with products that raise pH level. Two mph tops with sprayer to ensure adequate coverage.
• ProVide makes cells elongate and increase cell plasticity. This decreases russet that is caused by weather. Do 4 applications 1 week apart beginning at petal fall. We're thinking we should try this on a few of the SweeTangos.
• ReTain delays and reduces disorders in maturity. We've used this on the Red Chief block of Honeycrisps and think maybe we should try it on a few rows of the trellis block.
• ProGibb delays harvest and creates firmer fruit. Bill's plan this year is to apply one time at the translucent stage (end of pit hardening) at 400 gal/acre. The optimum temperature range is 70 - 80 degrees and the higher the humidity the better. If the humidity is high but the temperature is 65 degrees go ahead and spray because the humidity is very important. Sprayer travel speed should be 2 mph tops.