Cranberry Outlook Pt 1

Cranberry Outlook Pt 1

Bob Larson
Bob Larson
With today's Fruit Grower Report, I'm Bob Larson.

Washington state is the biggest player in the cranberry game, but they are significant to Southwest Washington's ag scene. And, September is the time of year growers look forward to as harvest gets ready to begin ...

KIM PATTEN ... "In Washington, it's, hmmm, about September 15th, I believe, is going to be the first harvest. They're trying to wait until color comes in there. We're pushing to earlier and earlier harvest because the Craisin likes a little bit less dark fruits so they generally try to spread out the harvest so you don't get in at the same, same times. So, they're aiming at a little bit earlier and some of these new varieties out there, they color first of September and are ready to go. So, if growers have those in, then they're ready to harvest."

A asked Kim Patten, with the WSU Extension office in Long Beach, does that mean harvest has begun in some spots?

KIM PATTEN ... "Well, yes, in theory. They've already started some harvest in Oregon. One of our problems this year is, we may not have the water to harvest this year.

It's been a wee bit dry. And, so, without that water, you don't want to waste it. You know, it's a precious commodity and if you use it to harvest you may not have it to irrigate if you're going to need to irrigate for another month after that. So, there is some loss of water every time you harvest, so you want to save that as long as possible."

Listen tomorrow for more on this year's Washington cranberry harvest and how the water issue could potentially hold things up.

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