Services for Growers
Ridge Quest is a premier grower’s crop consultant specializing in commercial orchard management. Ourpest-management programs use proven science and innovative techniques to protect and enhance your yield. Our experience working with Michigan fruit growers, Michigan State University, and working on test plots for agricultural pesticide producers gives us the leading edge in assessing the best plan for your orchard. In addition, our innovation in pheromone application can dramatically reduce the cost of treatment for codling moth and oblique banded leafroller.
We are well versed in Integrated Pest Management (IPM), a combination of common-sense practices. Decisions are made based on pest lifecycles and their interaction with the environment. Chosen pest control methods are used to manage pest damage by the most economical means, and with the least possible hazard to people, property and the environment.
- Orchard Pest Management Programs: We offer a comprehensive scouting and battle plan for improving fruit quality and yields by controlling common orchard pests. Our programs include weekly orchard scouting services, comprehensive pest management recommendations plus assistance in complying with all processor, EPA, and NYSDEC regulations and record-keeping requirements. We are especially fluent in programs involving mating disruption via pheromones, and have developed a patent for an innovative delivery solution. (See Sample Scouting Plans.)
- Our focus is most commonly: apples, blueberries, pears, peaches, cherries, potatoes tomatoes and peppers.
- Nutrient Management Programs: Through soil and foliar testing, we determine potential problems in nutrient levels, pH or nutrient utilization. Our analysis helps growers increase yields and increase profits. Orchard fertility programs include prescription fertilizer and plant growth regulators based on the specific orchard’s soil types, fruit varieties and trimming programs.
Some of the common insects we help control include:
- Aphids
- Apple maggot
- Apple rust mite
- Brown marmorated stinkbug
- Codling moth
- Dogwood borer
- European red mite
- Eyespotted bud moth
- Green apple aphid
- Japanese beetle
- Leafhoppers
- Mites
- Obliquebanded leafroller
- Oriental fruit moth
- Plum curculio
- Potato leafhopper
- Redbanded leafroller
- Rosy apple aphid
- San Jose scale
- Speckled green fruitworm
- Spotted tentiform leafminer
- Spotted win drosophil
- Tarnished plant bug
- Tufted apple moth
- Twospotted spider mite
- Variegated leafroller
- White apple leafhopper
- Wooly apple aphid
Contact us to design a program for your orchard or field. Please visit our Commercial Applications page for information about cold storage spraying.