Cherry Weather Pt 1

From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson. Last year’s northwest cherry crop, by volume and quality, was outstanding. But due to an overlap with the California cherry crop, many growers left a lot of fruit on the trees and lost a lot of money.

But, Cliff Mass, University of Washington atmospheric sciences professor, says that’s unlikely to happen again this year …

MASS … “California is warmer this year and so it’s not going to be delayed like it was last year. So, that’s pretty sure at this, that’s in the bag at this point, because we’re far enough in now.”

So, at this point, Mass says California appears to be on a more normal schedule weather wise …

MASS … “The cherry season starts in California by mid, you know, by mid-May, right, so it’s available by Memorial Day weekend. So, they’re on track on that and they’ve had plenty of rain. There’s no drought down there. The temperatures are warmer so they should have a good crop and the timing should be right. So that’s, I think, pretty clear.”

So that’s good, Mass says, but for Northwest growers? …

MASS … “I mean for us; the weather is pretty nominal in terms of temperature. And so, it’s on track now, but the big question is, I mean, are we going to get another anomalous, crazy heat wave in May which had an impact last year.”

Tune in tomorrow for more on this year’s cherry growing weather, or check out Cliff’s blog at www.cliffmass.blogspot.com