Learn more about fruit breeding with Brian Smith of UW River Falls and what they do to achieve new fruit cultivars.  Brian will tell you what is involved in the hybridization process, how they maintain the parental stock, seedling growth out in the field, identification of selections, evaluation of those elite selections. He will also discuss grower and university testing and the release process. Find out what cultivars have already been released and upcoming releases. 

Dr. Brian Smith is an Extension Commercial Fruit Specialist who helps growers make improvements in cultural efficiency to remain competitive, improve their profitability, diversify their operations, and respond to changing government regulation of pesticide usage. He has conducted many in-depth fruit schools, organizes the berry portion of the Wisconsin statewide grower conference and regularly teaches Master Gardeners.