WASHINGTON, D.C., Oct. 23, 2025 — The Washington Apple and California Walnut have gained a whopping global market share with the help of improved competitiveness, particularly affordability and good quality produce. From grading of the produce to post-harvest techniques, FarmTech has come a long way in helping walnut growers and handlers. Backed by thorough research, production practices, trade developments, advocacy, and market dynamics have become a hallmark of the California Walnut.

The production research program is developing and testing technologies for the future of walnut farming. Through the Walnut Endowment at UC Davis, an additional $2 million has been invested in the walnut breeding program to ensure the industry’s future needs. Collaborative efforts between the research community, farm advisors, growers, and industry make this possible.

“Orchard management is perhaps the most encompassing field of research as it deals with several aspects of production – rootstock, new varieties, cultural practices throughout the year, water management, tree and soil nutrition, and so on,” says the California Walnut website. “Since partnering with UC Davis more than four decades ago, the ongoing research has resulted in several new varieties and rootstocks that are widely used today by walnut growers. Some of the varieties include Chandler, Howard, and Vina, and rootstocks include VX211, Paradox, and Vlach.”

Technology defines the story of Washington apples, which includes the state’s apple growers, processors, research institutions, and transportation experts who have implemented tech solutions across the supply chain to combat problems as old as the industry itself.

The traditional ripening process used to be heavily dependent on weather patterns, but now apple growers can store their fruit in high-tech, climate-controlled containers, allowing fresh fruit to be sold beyond the harvest season.

How Technology Helps in Bumper Crop, Export Push

Tech in Apple Crop: Traditional apple orchard practices are now supported by high-tech systems that maximize product quality and increase efficiency in delivering the highest quality apples and products to consumer markets worldwide. Today, STEM jobs in crop production and support activities total more than 300 jobs in Washington. Life and physical scientists make up the largest portion of these roles, almost 180, including foresters and soil and plant scientists.

Farm managers and supervisors rely on software to track farmworker productivity and capacity. Farm machinery maintenance workers leverage computer-aided diagnostics to improve efficiency, and agricultural logistics experts utilize advanced tracking software to ensure fresh products arrive in a timely and efficient manner. Farmworkers and laborers use technology to find seasonal work and are increasingly expected to use technology on the job.

Walnut Boosted by Research: Most common diseases affecting California walnuts include Botryosphaeria and walnut blight. The California Walnut Board and Commission has partnered with UC scientists on several projects aimed at finding solutions to these diseases through a combination of strategies such as suitable chemicals, improved orchard management practices, and more disease-resistant rootstock. In addition, organizers of the California Walnut Conference, scheduled for February next year, have built a forum for information sharing, networking, and solutions for walnut growers, handlers, and industry suppliers. The Poster Board Research Sessions at the conference will present key findings from walnut industry-funded research in areas such as pest management, irrigation, fertility, varieties and rootstocks, and overall crop production. Researchers will be available to engage directly with attendees, answer questions, and provide insights into practical applications for growers, according to a press release.

Apple Production Embracing Advanced Tech

Orchards have a heavy dependence on equipment, similar to other agricultural sectors, and this equipment can be purchased from agricultural wholesalers. A wide range of specialized equipment is used in the apple industry, including spray applicators, shade cloth and netting, and trellising systems. With support from the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission, WSU, and Century Steep, De Kleine Machine Company of Prosser, Washington, has developed a model using elevation, wind, and soil data to predict trellis load. This model is used to design trellises tailored to individual orchards. Equipment wholesalers specializing in fruit tree equipment operate across the state.

Companies such as Automated Ag Systems of Moses Lake are supporting orchard managers in improving apple production and worker safety through technology and mechanization. Orchards including Stemilt Ag Services in Wenatchee and Green Acre Farms near Harrah are using the Automated Ag System Bandit harvest assist platform to enhance performance. Orchard managers and consultants are also using unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, to scout orchards, count trees, and assess tree stress.

Detailed interpretation of infrared images of orchard canopies by trained experts helps assess tree health. Unhealthy foliage reflects less UV light than healthy foliage. Drones can also identify water buildup caused by leaks or poor drainage, giving managers an early opportunity to implement corrective measures.