Hops Beat Heat and COVID Pt 1
I’m Bob Larson. Hop acreage has, once again, reached a record high topping 60,000 acres for the first time. But, like every other Northwest crop, hops are also dealing with the drought and record high temps.
But in spite the challenges of a pandemic and weather stresses, Washington Hop Commission’s Jaki Brophy says they’re expecting production to be higher this year …
BROPHY … “Well, acreage is up. So overall, the anticipated reduction should be up, especially because last year, you know, there were wildfires which were obviously an issue, but the bigger issue was actually wind. So, from a big-picture perspective, it looks like production will actually be up this year thanks to the acreage increase.”
That, Brophy says should put them over the top …
BROPHY … “But it seems like there might be some damage because of the high temperatures. I think it depends on the variety and, obviously, where people are. But for the most part, just driving through, things look good.”
Weather trends from earlier this year, Brophy says probably helped …
BROPHY … “We did have a cold spring this year, so I think in some ways it might have actually helped a few people’s yards catch up a little bit, but it really depends on where a field is at in the cone development stage for these high temperatures.”
Tune in tomorrow for more on this year’s Hops crop and how and increased demand is keeping the growers busy as harvest season approaches.
