Avian Influenza Fallout & Cherry Institute

I'm Lacy Gray with Washington Ag Today.

Even though the avian influenza virus recently detected in two backyard poultry flocks in Benton County has not been detected in any commercial flocks in Washington State or the U.S. more than 30 nations have placed restrictions on U.S. poultry and poultry products. China, who has a long history of banning poultry from several U.S. states, has now reacted by placing a ban on all U.S. poultry, eggs and poultry products. While Washington State is one of the nation's top ag exporters to China, poultry is not at the top of that list; frozen potato products, frozen fish, wheat and cherries are Washington's top ag exports to China respectively.

Tomorrow the Yakima Convention Center will be host to the 72nd Annual Cherry Institute where growers and industry experts will gather to discuss the top issues affecting the cherry industry. BJ Thurlby with Northwest Cherry Growers.

THURLBY: You know we've got this Food Safety and Modernization Act that's happening now and we've got an update for the growers on what do they need to be ready for in 2015. We always try to tie in some marketing; we try to tell the story of the season and what we did, and just update growers as to what direction we're going. For instance, the health research strategy that we're employing and I'll talk to the growers briefly about that and sharing what I think is good news.

Sessions will focus on the cherry breeding program at WSU, as well as strategies to assess and respond to potential 2014 tree freeze damage, detecting and managing cherry virus diseases, water management, and practical solutions to improve shipping quality of sweet cherries.

That's Washington Ag Today.

I'm Lacy Gray with the Ag Information Network of the West.