Apple Crop, CRP Sign-Up & Poppy Farm Closed Down
Apple Crop, CRP Sign-Up & Poppy Farm Closed Down
I’m Lacy Gray with Washington Ag Today.
Todd Fryhover, President of the Washington State Apple Commission, says that while some areas of the state have seen some hail damage, for the most part it appears that it will be an excellent apple crop this year.
FRYHOVER: We always seem to have a little bit of hail damage throughout the growing season. This season we had a pretty significant event that went a little bit north of us, but seemed to hit mostly wheat fields and a few apple growing areas. There was a couple down south when we had that major storm here in Wenatchee. There was a pretty significant hail storm down in the Grandview area. It’s unfortunate, it does happen, it happens every year, but it is somewhat normal and it is accounted for. I don’t think that it’s going to dramatically change our total crop volume but it could have some impact on the processor side. But this year’s cleaning up great and it’s a fantastic year for Washington apple growers.
The USDA will accept 1.7 million acres offered under the 45th Conservation Reserve Program general sign-up. The Department received nearly 28,000 offers on more than 1.9 million acres of land, proving that CRP is one of the nation’s most successful voluntary programs for soil, water, and wildlife conservation. Washington producers whose bids were accepted will be receiving a letter of acceptance. You will have 30 days to notify FSA whether you wish to continue with the CRP contract.
Poppydog Farms in Franklin County has been closed down as the owners have recently been federally indicted for their alleged involvement in the distribution of opium poppies. Such poppies can be used to make morphine and heroine. There are seven defendants in two cases facing one count of conspiracy to distribute or conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance, along with other charges.
I’m Lacy Gray and that’s Washington Ag Today on the Ag Information Network.