Hops Propagation Pt 2

Hops Propagation Pt 2

Bob Larson
Bob Larson
I’m Bob Larson. We talked yesterday about some subtle changes in Washington hop production that won’t hit the big payoff until next year.

Washington Hop Commission’s Jaki Brophy says that’s because of some new propagation techniques being used by growers …

BROPHY … “Yes, there was. A lot of people are kind of looking to do a slightly different technique that works more, kind of, with the Clean Plant Center.”

And how is that different? …

BROPHY … “Basically, people have been digging up roots and, you know, that is just fine as well, but a lot of people are starting to consider the long term, you know, kind of benefits of getting stock from a propagator that has been directly from something that has been recently cleaned up, basically.”

So, Brophy says it’s about attention to detail …

BROPHY … “It means that you’re doing more of a softwood cutting rather than digging up roots in your field, or in someone else’s field. So, it’s just kind of a little bit more delicate of a plant at that point.”

Brophy says it’s changes like these that keep the U.S. significant in the global market…

BROPHY … “The U.S. production is about 40% of the world’s supply now. So, we’re continuing to see things increase with the U.S. kind of seen on the global hop market, so that’s always exciting.”

Brophy says European demand for U.S. hops, most grown here in Washington, is still very strong.

Previous ReportHops Propagation Pt 1
Next ReportPotatoes in Phase-One Pt 1