Learn how NEWA's hyper-localized modeling, paired with HOBO weather stations, helps growers use the optimal pest management and disease countermeasures.  Jon Clements, Extension Fruit Team Leader at UMASS Amherst presents the models and tools that NEWA has developed to help growers with insect pest and plant disease risk assessment, and Matt Sharp of HOBO presents how HOBO stations work with NEWA's tools.

How to use NEWA Models for Growing Recommendations

In the first portion, Jon will demonstrate how to use NEWA models for recommendations on spray schedules, irrigation and thinning models, including:

• Integrated Pest Management (IPM): Using the Apple Scab Model for targeted fungicide applications to reduces chemical costs and improve the timing of sprays.
• Irrigation Optimization: Use data on precipitation and environmental demand to help manage water, particularly for drought monitoring in high-density orchards with smaller root systems.
• Crop Thinning Decisions: The tool models assist in determining the best timing for chemical thinning of blossoms by predicting pollen tube growth.

How to Design a Monitoring System

 Matt will speak on Designing a Monitoring System for today while planning for future expansion:

• Considerations when selecting sensors
• How to deploy the HOBOnet Field Monitoring System
• Provide a LI-COR Cloud overview (Dashboard, Maps and Alerts)

April 22, 2026, 2pm - 3pm (ET)

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About the Presenters

Jon Clements

Jon Clements is a native Vermonter who received his B.S Degree in Wildlife Management in 1977 at the University of Vermont and holds an M.S in Plant & Soil Science. As Extension Tree Fruit Specialist at the University of Massachusetts. Jon prides himself in being able to provide one-on-one and one-to-many Extension outreach to Massachusetts and New England orchardists with an emphasis on modern, intensive orchard production practices and integrated pest management. Jon is based at the UMass Cold Spring Orchard in Belchertown where he also manages numerous applied research & demonstration orchard blocks of apples, peaches, and cherries.

Learn More About the Featured Solutions

Ahead of the webinar, explore monitoring solutions for growers like the RX2106 system, weather stations, and more.