12/28/06 Wrapping up the fruit year (pt 1)

The tree fruit industry has had its ups and downs during 2006 and is looking for a very productive year in 2007. Let's look back at some of the events of the last year. On the top of most industry lists was and still is the immigration issue and the lack of workers in the orchards this past year. Washington Congressman Doc Hastings remains positive. HASTINGS: I continue to one that believes that border security is very important but we need to have a workable guest worker bill for our agriculture based industry. Of course after the November elections and with a political shift it remains to be seen what will occur in the New Year. 2006 was shaping up to be a bumper year in the fruit industry. Cherry, pear and apple crops appeared to be some of the best ever but Mother Nature had other plans. Just as the cherry crop was ready for picking  along came the rains. Several growers lost most of their crops in the Mid-Columbia area but overall the loss was minimal. But just as the cherry growers were picking themselves up, Mother Nature dealt her second hand. Holtzinger Field man, Gip Redinger. REDINGER: The industry got hit pretty hard in the Dayton, Chelan area and I think to some part Manson also. I had reports from growers that got hurt pretty bad in that area, big hail. And so when it came down, it really tore stuff up. So the crops I think are getting smaller or continues anyway to get smaller. Tomorrow, well take a look at the positive side of 2006. That's today's Fruit Grower Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.