A selection of the latest products and services for tree fruit and grape growers.
Ty Snyder promoted
C & O Nursery of Wenatchee, Washington, has promoted Ty Snyder to the position of orchard manager. Snyder has worked at the nursery since 2006 and earned an associate degree in agriculture from Wenatchee Valley College. He is managing the company's Rocky Reach and Grant Road orchards.
The Snyder family formed C & O Nursery in 1906. Ty, son of Todd ­Snyder, is one of the fourth generation of the family to be involved in the business, along with Jack's son Shad and Dick's son Adam.
Free workplace mediation book
The University of California is offering a free copy of Party Directed Mediation, authored by Gregorio ­Billikopf, UC labor management farm advisor. Focus of the publication is on the mediation of deep-seated interpersonal conflict. The author shares two models: "Dealing with contention between co-workers" and "Handling differences between supervisors and subordinates."
To obtain a free copy, send an envelope with a self-addressed adhesive label and a $4.95 U.S. flat-rate stamp (or combination of not more than five stamps) to cover mailing. Mail your stamp and label to Party-Directed Mediation, Gregorio Billikopf, 3800 Cornucopia Way #A, Modesto, CA 95358. The book can only be mailed to U.S. addresses. A free PDF copy can be downloaded at www .cnr.berkeley.edu/ ucce50/ag-labor/7conflict/.
PackerData is free
PackerData.com, an online service that enables fruit growers to compare returns and costs, is offering free access to growers and farm managers who enter their returns. Information from growers' returns is anonymously and confidentially collected in a database.
Sherry Amos, vice president for customer service, said the system was developed to help growers become better informed and make better decisions. Growers can use the service to compare prices and costs as they relate to varieties, farming methods, and fruit size. Only growers who contribute data can see the reports and use the analysis tools.
A "what if" analysis allows growers to compare prices from different pools, conventional versus organic, and from one packer to another.
The service was launched a year ago at a charge of $99 a year plus additional charges to view multiple ­categories.
To register for the free service, go to www.packerdata.com and use the coupon code "FREE." For more information, contact Amos at (503) 931-5953 or sherry@ packerdata.com.
Organic expansion
Brandt/Monterey of Fresno, California, has acquired a 96,000-square-foot facility near its existing building to produce organic agricultural nutrients to meet the increasing demand for organic products.
Brandt/Monterey, formerly known as Monterey ­AgResources, started out as a representative for agricultural chemical companies. It now formulates, packages, and represents other manufacturers' products. It has developed micronutrients for agriculture and continues to bring new technologies and products to market. The new facility will provide custom manufacturing and packaging for a number of other companies offering organic products in the western United States.
Purshade sale settles suit
Tessenderlo Kerley, Inc., is acquiring the global assets of the Purfresh crop protection sunscreen business and the Purshade product line. The Purshade business will be managed and marketed by Tessenderlo Kerley's NovaSource business unit, which also markets Surround.
As part of the acquisition agreement, Tessenderlo ­Kerley will dismiss its complaint against Purfresh. The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court in Delaware, asserted that Purfresh infringed certain U.S. patents.
In the future, Purfresh will focus on its cold storage and transportation business.
CYD-X in Canada
The biopesticide company Certis USA has selected Engage Agro of Guelph, Ontario, to distribute the CYD-X insecticidal virus in Canada. CYD-X is used by conventional and organic apple growers to control codling moth. It is the first Certis USA product to be registered for use in Canada. For more information, check the Web sites www.engageagro.com and www.certisusa.com.
MANA merger
Makhteshim Agan Industries (MAI), parent company of MANA Crop Protection, has announced that a majority interest of its shares has been acquired by the China National Agrochemical Corporation. MAI is now a private company with 60 percent ownership by the Chinese company and 40 percent ownership by Koor Industries Limited of Israel, a long-time shareholder.
Rob Williams, chief executive officer of MANA, said the merger was key to expanding the company's global manufacturing and research and development capabilities and would provide resources necessary to introduce an expanded range of crop protection products to the market. Williams continues to lead MANA's U.S. operations from Raleigh, North Carolina.
Keep heating element in place
Colmac Coil Manufacturing, Inc., of Colville, Washington, has developed a self-positioning system for defrosting heat exchangers in cold rooms. During defrost cycles, expansion and contraction of heating elements can be significant. Repeated cycles, along with refreezing of melted frost, can result in the heating element creeping out of the heat exchanger. The patented self-positioning system forces the heating element to return to its correct position at the start of each defrost cycle. For more information, check the Web site www.colmaccoil.com.
admin2021-09-28T09:28:20-07:00December 1st, 2011|December 2011 Issue, Labor, News, Pest Management|