Cherry Institute Highlights Success, Challenges in Industry

The annual cherry institute was plagued by an ice storm that made it a challenge to attend, but for those who made it, they were able to hear about establishing new blocks, cracking, FSMA among others.

Northwest Cherries’ James Michael said he was excited to see the number of smart phones in the room that were used to capture the information through photos of the presentations.

“When you’re looking at a really narrow harvest window and you’re dealing with the shifts in Mother Nature, trying to pick the best approach, these growers are using decades worth of information trying to make the best choice for a particular gamble in that window.”

The institute also featured a lunchtime presentation by WSU’s Matthew Whiting on what he’s seen in his travels around the Northwest and the country.

Michael said there were many great talks, but the one that stood out to him was a presentation on platforms.

“We’ve seen a shift as we’re driving through the valley from the older style of orchards to more modern upright orchards. With that, growers are being incredibly inventive on finding ways to get through there with fewer people or at least in a more cost-effective basis.”

Michael noted that in his conversations with growers, the trees were well conditioned to survive the wild winter weather and that they are looking forward to a very successful 2017 season.

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