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State Analyses 5

(The Tart Cherry Industry - continued)

Washington

Washington’s production is concentrated in the Columbia River Basin of south central Washington, in Grant, Adams, and Franklin counties. Despite high day-time temperatures, tart cherries reportedly grow well in the Columbia Basin. A typical yield is 8 tons of cherries per acre (Watson). although the Census of Agriculture reported 106 farms harvesting tart cherries in 1992, five or six producers reportedly account for the bulk of the output (Watson).

Frost is the major production peril affecting tart cherries in Washington. Cherries bloom about the same time as apples in the Colombia Basin, and both crops can be damaged by late frosts, reducing the season's yield.

although all tart cherries are irrigated in the Colombia Basin, drought becomes a production peril if the irrigation district does not have enough water to supply its members' needs. Water is allocated to districts according to “junior” rights and “senior” rights. During periods of water shortages, water is withheld first from irrigation districts with junior rights.

Unlike Michigan and other areas with more humid climates, brown rot and cherry leaf spot are not considered a serious production hazard in Washington.

Wisconsin

Virtually all of Wisconsin’s tart cherries are grown in Door County, which is surrounded on three side by Lake Michigan. Because of the lake effect, air temperatures rise slowly in the spring, delaying flower bud development.

In addition, the water warms air temperatures on cold nights, providing further protection against late spring frosts. Because of delayed bud development, Door County cherries usually bloom after the danger of frost has past and the fruit is not damaged by late freezes. The lake also moderates summer-time temperatures, which favors tart cherry production.

The Census of Agriculture reported 169 Wisconsin farms harvesting tart cherries in 1992. Reportedly, there are a small number of farms with more than 100 acres and numerous farms with fewer than 100 acres in tart cherries (Weidman). A number of farms have 40-50 acres.

Tart cherry growers in Wisconsin are generally not diversified beyond fruit production. The larger producers tend to specialize in tart cherries, and also produce some apples. On the smaller farms, apples likely account for a larger share of the farms' acreage than cherries.

Tart cherries in Door County tend to be planted on shallow, sandy loam soils that are subject to drying out quickly. One-third of the acreage is estimated to be irrigated with drip irrigation systems (Weidman). Most of the irrigated acreage is owned by the larger producers.

Montmorency is the main variety grown in Wisconsin. Growers are experimenting with a number of other cultivars, but none of these accounts for notable acreage. Canning and freezing are the major uses for Wisconsin cherries. However, at least one processor is drying cherries, and a portion of the crop is sold fresh at fruit stands and through pick-your-own operations.

The most serious production perils include winter injury due to extreme cold, and weather conditions that lead to serious disease problems. Extremely low temperatures destroyed an estimated 35 percent of the flower buds during the 1995/96 winter (Weidman). although cherries can sustain some flower bud damage and still produce a good crop, extensive damage reduces fruit production. In the most extreme cases, it is estimated that flower bud damage would reduce fruit production by up to a third in Wisconsin.

Excessive rain that prevents growers from applying fungicides and that wash fungicides from the fruit creates the potential for the rapid development of brown rot and cherry leaf spot. Brown rot can develop quickly on unprotected fruit and result in the loss of virtually the entire crop. Leaf spot damage usually manifests itself in the form of weakened trees, which are more susceptible to flower bud damage and winterkill than are healthy trees.

Hail and drought also are notable production perils in Wisconsin. The sandy soils on which cherries are produced dry out quickly, and spring droughts can reduce fruit size and lower the tonnage harvested. Summer droughts weaken cherry trees, making them more susceptible to winter damage.

Frost reportedly is not a serious peril in Wisconsin (Weidman). The protective effect of the surrounding lake delays the bloom period until after the danger of late frost has passed.