06/14/07 Cherry Field Day

Cherry Field Day. I'm Greg Martin with today's Fruit Grower Report. It's that time of year when field days are prevalent and ag producers can get a look at new equipment, techniques and product. Tuesday the Washington State Universities  Prosser, Roza Orchard held their annual Cherry Day with a record breaking attendance. According to Matthew Whiting, Program Leader, there was a lot to see and do. WHITING: We had our biggest group yet for my annual field day because we combined it with a tour from the International Fruit Tree Association so we had about 200 folks with an interest in cherry production from around the world. Whiting says the annual field day gave producers plenty of information to take home. WHITING: Those included things like new orchard systems, new training approaches; we were also looking at some of our thinning research results. Also had my students describing their activities in better understanding causes and preventions of pistil doubling; also demonstrated some of the work we have been doing towards the mechanization of sweet cherry harvest. One of the most exciting parts of the day was the chance for producers to look at some new varieties. WHITING: Right now it is an exciting time really, there's a tremendous demand for new cherry cultivars. A lot of folks are looking to the crosses that were made by Tom Toyama, a breeder here in the 70's and 80's and in the recent years we have released two selections. One of which is named Benton  another is named Selah. Tomorrow, more with Matt Whiting. That's today's Fruit Grower Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Northwest Ag Information Network.