Raspberry Outlook Pt 1
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson with today’s Fruit Grower Report. As we approach the first anniversary of last year’s “heat dome,” it doesn’t mean we haven’t had weather challenges this year.Washington Red Raspberry Commission Executive Director,
Henry Bierlink says growers are doing okay, so far …
BIERLINK … “Like everywhere else, cool and wet. That isn’t a huge problem for raspberries at this point. We’re going to be slow or a little late than what we normally are, but that doesn’t necessarily mean a bad year for us. It just means a little later year.”
The bees however, Bierlink says could use a little help …
BIERLINK … “Pollination, right now, is occurring in our raspberry fields and we’d like the bees to be a little more happy with some warmer weather, and drier weather. But it’s not crisis mode by any means yet. If it continues forever or for the next couple of weeks with this kind of wet and cold, we’ll be a little more concerned.”
One worry, is possible root damage from all the rain …
BIERLINK … “When that heat starts to warm up and everything starts to really shoot, that’s when those roots could show some indication of weakness and that shows in the plant and we’ll be waiting to see what happens there.”
Bierlink says things are looking pretty good …
BIERLINK … “Overall, I would just have to say we’re
not, umm, we’re not really worried at this point yet. We’re concerned and hopeful that this year’s going to be a lot better than last year.”
Tune in tomorrow for more on how this year’s raspberry crop is look and what to expect from harvest.