This page contains a Flash digital edition of a book.
Market Watch


Smaller yields likely this year, but the focus should still be on getting the best quality possible and preparing for improvement in the long term.


F


rost damage during blossom is a difficult way to begin the new year, but some will have


to contend with that start this season, so it’s important growers look at what’s on the trees and plan from there, advises HankMarkgraf, field services manager for the Okanagan Tree Fruit Co-operative. At least, with a better season last


year, growers will have a few dollars in their pockets to handle what needs to be done. Sales of the last of the 2012 apple


crop finished up earlier than normal this year, with the last sold by B.C. Tree Fruits in early June. However, a bumper crop in neighbouringWashington State means they will likely still be selling fruit until harvest of the new crop begins. The top varieties at BCTF this


year were Ambrosia, Fuji, Golden Delicious, Honeycrisp,McIntosh and Spartan, reports Chris Pollock, while Royal Gala had another strong year, with similar volume and prices up by about nine per cent. Overall, prices were up by about


10 per cent on average across all varieties, grades and sizes, he said. Freezing temperatures during


blossom occurred in pockets, mainly in the Oliver and Osoyoos areas, while there was some early hail damage in the Summerland area. Cherries in the U.S. also sustained


some damage from frost during blossom, so the forecast is for a lighter crop from south of the border this year. Because of that,Markgraf expects


6


By Judie Steeves Don’t let that frost chill your efforts


there will be larger fruit from the south of the valley this year, but still a smaller crop than last year. Those growers who sustained


considerable damage must continue to farm, he noted. “You can cut back but you still have to look after your next season’s crop,” he advised. In the east this year, growers are


trying to thin a huge crop so there will be lots of competition from that part of the world, contrary to last year when those growers were virtually wiped out by a late spring frost. This year eastern growers will


have lots of small apples, predicted Markgraf, adding, “So, you don’t want to play in that game. Instead, you want to take larger fruit of good quality to the market.” The ideal size for apples is 80 to 88, he noted. Whatever you have to do is worth


it to grow the ideal size and good quality of fruit. The returns make it all worthwhile, he emphasized. He suggests growers look at their


orchards with the long term in mind. Assess blocks and think of exit times for some varieties or some blocks, so you reduce your


labour costs where the returns are inadequate. For instance, take out those old


Goldens, but not the young Spartans if you get good grades at packout. Today, it’s harder to get trees, so


growers must plan ahead. He figures 2016 is likely the earliest young trees would be available if you ordered today. “If you can’t grow a good crop on


old trees get rid of them,” he recommends. “Be proactive instead of reactive.” This year, upgrading to the cherry


line in Oliver should be complete for the season, and cherries for export will be run through the facilities in Kelowna, noted Pollock. Christine Dendy, president of the


B.C. Cherry Association, estimated they will see about two-thirds of a cherry crop this year, which she figures would be very manageable. More new plantings of cherries


are coming into production, so that will fill in the gaps caused by frost during bloom, she noted. Dendy said she is optimistic about


this year’s marketing of the cherry crop, particularly if growers maintain good fruit quality.


 Complete custom fruit packing lines


or components


 Custom stainless steel design manufacturing


and installation


 Cherry Cluster Separators- Hydraulic or Cutting Tables


Waycon Innovation Inc.  Hydro Chiller


 Cherry Sizers/ electronic or roller


 Bin Tippers  Sorting Tables  Box Filling Stations  Box Conveyors  Water Plenums


Sales and service 275 Waterloo Ave., Penticton, BC V2A-7J3 Sales Representative: Eric Pierce, E-mail epierce@waycon.net


Cell: 250 488 0312 or Fax: 250 492 3200 www.wayconinnovation.com


British Columbia FRUIT GROWER • Summer 2013


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36