Second crop estimate of Northwest Cherries suggest 6% lower crops than first estimate
The Northwest Cherry Growers Field Estimate team has compiled a second ( Round 2 ) projection for the 2021 Northwest crop. Following our first round of estimation, this 22-person field team looks at their orchards as well as the surrounding area s volume dynamics and compiles overviews for their area based on changes to the fruit set following bloom.
Each member submits the data specific to their active growing districts, and then that data is built into an estimation model which represents each of the Northwest s cherry growing regions. As with Round 1, the model is populated with historical data, growing degree day patterns, acreage shifts, market trends, processing tonnage and in-field assessments, and then uses the Field Team s input to project a crop for the coming season. This year, the second round data from the model suggests a 2021 crop of 223,723 tons.
Northwest Cherry Challenges Pt 2
Tuesday Apr 20th, 2021 With today’s Fruit Grower Report, I’m Bob Larson. Northwest cherries are in full bloom right now and are looking pretty good at this point, but recent winds and unseasonably cold nights have undoubtedly cut the crop outlook from what it had been.
Northwest Cherry Growers president BJ Thurlby says the weather has been a challenge, but they’ve got another ongoing threat …
THURLBY … “We think this crop, off of the top, is going to be down two to two-and-a-half million boxes from what is our number one issue in our industry right now which is called Little Cherry Disease. And, that’s kind of been going on the last four or five years, we’ve seen it grow and grow and grow. And, now we’re at the point where we’ve got all hands-on deck trying to figure out how we’re going to stop this.”
Indications point to a crop that s larger than last year
While most of the Northwest cherry buds are still wrapped up tight and waiting for the warmer days to come, several of the earliest regions and varieties have begun to push their blooms. It s still far too early to translate these stages into an overall projection of 2021 crop to come.
General Crop Size: It s too early to project a volume for the 2021 crop. Almost all indications point to a crop that s larger than last year, but then 2020 was smaller than the 4 years which preceded it. A few growers are reporting seeing 4 flowers per bud, but the majority seem to be in the standard 2-3 range. Aside from the total potential of what the tree sets are the natural limiters of Little Cherry Disease, cold damage from winter and frost events this spring. So far, the Northwest has swung dramatically from very warm to cold days with 1 frost event already on record. With orchards spread across 5 states and 2,000 f
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Online Cherry Institute focuses on Little Cherry Disease, pollination and marketing
This year, the Cherry Institute is
going virtual. According to Northwest Cherry Growers Vice President of Marketing James Michael, this year’s event will feature the same quality of information growers have enjoyed in the past, at in person events. “This is the world’s largest cherry meeting and this year it’s free and brought to you in your own home. It’s the perfect opportunity to catch up and get informed.”
The 78-year-old Cherry Institute will be held virtually on January 21st, in conjunction with WSU Tree Fruit Days.