Multiple trials of new precision agriculture tools for crop load management in N
Mike Basedow, Tree Fruit Specialist
Eastern New York Commercial Horticulture
Are you concerned about crop load management on your farm? Industry has taken note and you may have more tools for making management decisions in the future. "One of the challenges expressed by growers is that there still is a lot of manual time measuring and counting blossoms, fruitlets and apples, which is not only time-consuming, but it is subject to inconsistencies and different views depending on the staff input," said Jenny Lemieux, CEO of Vivid Machines, one of three companies trialing precision mapping and remote sensing tools this summer in New York. In addition to Vivid Machines, Farm Vision and Fruit Scout are also conducting on-farm trials.
Multiple trials of new precision agriculture tools for crop load management in N (pdf; 168KB)

Upcoming Events
Rulfs Orchard Vegetable and Berry Field Meeting
August 4, 2026
Peru, NY
Join CCE vegetable specialists Elisabeth Hodgdon and Chuck Bornt for a vegetable and berry field meeting at Rulfs Orchard, in Peru, NY. We'll tour the farm's fields and talk about integrated pest management of sweet corn and cucurbit crops. Then, we'll view a drone demonstration and discuss new technologies for pesticide application and spotted wing drosophila management in berries. Light refreshments will be provided. A rain date will be announced if adverse weather is predicted.
Field Day at Philia Farm
August 6, 2026
Johnstown, NY
Visit organic seed production trials and tour the farm to see small-scale production systems at work, including tarping, cover cropping, and the use of assorted mulches and covers to modify the growing environment.
Capital Region Orchard Twilight Meeting
August 11, 2026
Rexford, NY
Join the ENYCHP and Cornell scientists on August 11 for the Capital Region Orchard Twilight meeting in Saratoga! We will be touring Bowman Orchards and reviewing seasonal recommendations for pests and diseases for apples, plums, and berries, as well discussing crop insurance.
NYSDEC Pesticide Applicator Recertification Credits: 1.25 in categories 22, 1A, & 10. Refreshments will be provided.
Free to attend, however we do ask that you register ahead so we know how many people to expect.
