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Big chill could halve Interior fruit crop
United States
Wednesday 23 April 2008
The cold snap, which hit the Interior this week, has had a devastating impact on the area's fruit crops. As much as 60 per cent of the apricot crop could be lost along with up to 50 per cent of sweet cherries and peaches.
The damage to apples and pears won't be known for a couple of weeks.
"It is very, very serious for us right now," said Hank Markgraf, horticultural manager for the Okanagan Tree Fruit Company. "I'm born and raised in the industry and I can remember the last 20 to 25 years pretty well and I've never seen it like this.
"This is pretty bad." Over the weekend some of the Interior saw snowfall. But it was really Monday night's drastic dip to -11 C in some places that was the death knell for soft fruit.
According to Environment Canada, there is little relief for the next few days as nighttime temperatures continue to dip to as low as -3 C in areas such as Kelowna.
Normal temperatures for this time of year would see highs around 16 C and lows around four.
"Most growers will have crop-loss insurance and that covers part of the loss but not all of it," said Markgraf.
"Most growers over the next week will determine how much loss they have and start pinching the pennies and changing their management for this upcoming year."
Christine Dendy, owner of a cherry orchard in Kelowna, is looking at losing up to 50 per cent of her crop. "There will be some significant loses everywhere," she said.
"This is probably the worst spring weather I have seen in my lifetime . . . Crop insurance will help but it is never a good alternative to having a crop."
The cold weather isn't just impacting the fruit buds it is also keeping local bees - crucial for pollination - out of the skies.
The damage to apples and pears won't be known for a couple of weeks.
"It is very, very serious for us right now," said Hank Markgraf, horticultural manager for the Okanagan Tree Fruit Company. "I'm born and raised in the industry and I can remember the last 20 to 25 years pretty well and I've never seen it like this.
"This is pretty bad." Over the weekend some of the Interior saw snowfall. But it was really Monday night's drastic dip to -11 C in some places that was the death knell for soft fruit.
According to Environment Canada, there is little relief for the next few days as nighttime temperatures continue to dip to as low as -3 C in areas such as Kelowna.
Normal temperatures for this time of year would see highs around 16 C and lows around four.
"Most growers will have crop-loss insurance and that covers part of the loss but not all of it," said Markgraf.
"Most growers over the next week will determine how much loss they have and start pinching the pennies and changing their management for this upcoming year."
Christine Dendy, owner of a cherry orchard in Kelowna, is looking at losing up to 50 per cent of her crop. "There will be some significant loses everywhere," she said.
"This is probably the worst spring weather I have seen in my lifetime . . . Crop insurance will help but it is never a good alternative to having a crop."
The cold weather isn't just impacting the fruit buds it is also keeping local bees - crucial for pollination - out of the skies.
