Cherry harvest reaches peak, with larger crop anticipated
the previous two years. Peak harvest should continue through June 6. In recent years, the number of market- able cherries has been reduced by lack of winter chilling, which leads to poor fruit set, and timing of late-spring rains, which could cause cherries to split. But this year, farmers say growing and picking condi- tions have been largely favorable. “Theweathernowisabsolutelyperfect,” Zanobini said. The statemaintains about 40,000 acres of cherries, according to the cherry board. The Stockton-Linden-Lodi district, where
the traditional Bing cherry is grown, ac- counts for about 60% of the crop. The southern San Joaquin Valley produces about 35%, and about 5% comes from the Gilroy-Hollister area. Though the Bing cherry has been the predominant variety in the state, pro- duction of the Coral Champagne has sur- passed Bing in three of the last five years. Bing is expected to be No. 1 again this year, Zanobini said, but Corals will be the main variety being marketed during the
ByChing Lee Peak season for California cherries is here, and farmers say dry, sunny weath- er this spring has brought a quality crop that’s alsoexpected tobeoneof the largest they’ve produced in several years. Initially estimated at 9.47 million 18-poundboxes, the 2021California cher- ry crop held the potential to beat the ban- ner year of 2017, when farmers harvested Farm Bureau seeks water investments Drought punishing California also af- fects much of the western United States, andanAmericanFarmBureauFederation policy specialist says that underscores the importanceof improvingwater infrastruc- ture throughout the region. AFBFCongressional Relations Director Shelby Hagenauer said the U.S. Drought Monitor showsmostof thedesertWestand theSouthwest inthetwoworstmeasuresof drought, extreme and exceptional, in a re- gion stretching to Utah, parts of Colorado andNorthDakota. “Bothof thesedesignationsmeanpossi- ble impacts to water, including shortages, crop and pasture losses, and even water emergencies,” Hagenauer said, noting that thedrought is expected to intensify as spring stretches into summer. The regional drought will have impli- cations for farmers, ranchers and grocery shoppers alike, she said. “For ranchers, annual grass growth is important for livestock forage, and that’s low. Farmers will have to adjust planting decisions. Farms with permanent crops like citrus or treenutsmaywater different- ly, they may be more focused on keeping the trees alive, insteadof very productive,” Hagenauer said. “What happens inWestern agriculture matters to the rest of thecountry,” she said. “More than 80% of our domestic fruits, nuts and vegetables are grownwest of the Continental Divide.” With Congress considering infrastruc- ture legislation, Hagenauer saidanyplans should includewater infrastructure. “Life in theWest as we know it relies on infrastructure for water,” she said, “and much of the federal water infrastructure in theWest is 50 to100 years old. Congress and the administration are focused on in- frastructure right now. Any conversation around it needs to include modernizing andincreasing thewater supply infrastruc- ture that is really vital to Western farms, families and communities.” Hagenauer said Farm Bureaus from Western states “are actively working with Congress to highlight these needs.” The California Farm Bureau is part of a coa- lition of agricultural and water organiza- tions from15 states that has been encour- aging additional investment in Western water infrastructure.
a record 9.55 million boxes—but people in thebusiness sayheat andwinddamage earlier in the season may have affected fruit size and packouts. Now, the crop should at least top 8mil- lion boxes, said Chris Zanobini, executive director of the California Cherry Board. That would be up from the 6.58 million boxes packed last year—and higher than
See CHERRIES, Page 11
PROTECT YOUR PASSION TO
COUNTRYCHOICE ® INSURANCE FOR YOUR SMALL FARM OR RANCH
Protecting what you’ve worked so hard to build starts with CountryChoice ® , insurance for your small farm or ranch from the No. 1 farm insurer in the U.S. 1 Do you have enough coverage? Your homeowners policy is important, but if you live on a small farm or ranch, you may need more protection. CountryChoice wraps your home and farm coverages into one policy that covers items such as a barn or outbuilding, farm equipment and livestock. Farm Bureau ® insurance benefits Farm Bureau members may be eligible for discounts on Nationwide ® farm insurance and other insurance products. Ask your Nationwide agent for more information.
For a free insurance review or to learn more about Nationwide’s farm insurance, talk to your local agent. To find an agent near you, go to FarmAgentFinder.com.
1 By direct written premium, AM Best (2018). The Farm Bureau, FB, and the FB National logo are trademarks of the American Farm Bureau Federation and are used with permission under license by Nationwide. Nationwide and the Nationwide N and Eagle are service marks of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. CountryChoice is a service mark of Nationwide Agribusiness Insurance Company. © 2020 Nationwide GPO-0486CA.1 (12/20)
May 26, 2021 Ag Alert 3
Powered by FlippingBook