Good Fruit Grower

January 2013

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Grapes Where is the juice grape market headed? Few growers in Washington are replanting Concord vineyards. by Melissa Hansen n the surface, Washington State���s juice grape industry looks the picture of good economic times���crop inventories are in balance with demand and cash prices are strong, setting a record in 2012. But growers aren���t being encouraged to plant more juice grapes, perhaps a subtle sign of an uncertain future. Grape concentrate inventories are tight right now, says Jim Gauley, president of FruitSmart, a specialty fruit ingredient supplier in Grandview. ���A few more acres of Concords would be okay, but let���s not get carried away,��� he said, adding that nobody makes any money when a gallon of concentrate is selling for $10.50, the price it sold for in 2007. Concord grape acreage in Washington is estimated at less than 21,000 acres, with another 1,500 acres of Niagara���the lowest numbers in years. Since 2007, when Greg MacGill acreage topped 24,500 acres, more than 3,000 acres have been removed. And though grower prices for Concord With so many other crops in Washingand Niagara grapes in Washington have ton State doing well, growers aren���t been at record levels the last two years��� replanting juice grapes with juice grapes, $250 per ton in 2011 and $280 last year��� but are switching to other crops, like corn few growers have opted to participate in or alfalfa hay or selling to local dairies National Grape���s expansion program that needing more ground. began several years ago, says Craig Dark clouds Bardwell of National Grape. During a session examining the future The expansion is an ongoing program, ���Greg MacGill of the juice grape industry, a panel of Bardwell said, and has a goal of adding grower, processor, and retail market repre1,000 acres to the cooperative���s acreage. sentatives discussed trends that point to a cloudy future ���We���ve added a few acres over the last couple of years, but for the juice grape industry. The discussion took place with the acreage that���s been coming out, we���re not gaining during the Washington State Grape Society���s annual much on our goal.��� meeting in Grandview. ���For all grapes, we���re thin on inventory.��� Maximize Your Uptime. From RDO Equipment Co. Fit, Form, and Function: The 5EN Series. Maximize Your Uptime The John Deere 83 ��� 101 horsepower 5EN Series Narrow Tractors: proof that you don���t have to compromise between fit and function. If you need a high-powered, no-compromise tractor that can snake through narrow rows or other cramped spaces, look to the John Deere 5E Narrow Series. Available in both cab and open-station configurations, and with either 2WD or MFWD, the 5EN Series was designed for vineyard, orchard, and nursery producers who need a tractor that can pull heavy carts, handle fully loaded sprayers, or lift heavy disks and tillers ��� all while offering a full complement of premium features and available options. Our customer guarantee for the ultimate service and care. At RDO Equipment Co., we do everything possible to increase your John Deere���s productivity by maximizing your uptime. Through the exclusive ��� RDO PromiseTM ��� Uptime GuaranteedTM ��� we set a new industry standard by going beyond the John Deere warranty. Ask about our custom cut downs for high density orchard applications. See your local RDO Equipment Co. store for details. OREGON www.rdoequipment.com 26 JANUARY 1, 2013 GOOD FRUIT GROWER HERMISTON 78200 S Hwy 207 541-567-8327 800-357-7925 WASHINGTON PENDLETON 5401 NW Rieth Rd 541-276-6341 800-422-5598 WASCO 95421 Hwy 206 541-442-5400 800-989-7351 PASCO 1707 E James 509-547-0541 800-735-1142 SUNNYSIDE 140 Midvale Rd 509-839-5131 800-745-4027 The engine horsepower information is provided by the engine manufacturer to be used for comparison purposes only. Actual operating horsepower will be less. John Deere���s green and yellow color scheme, the leaping deer symbol and JOHN DEERE are trademarks of Deere & Company. www.goodfruit.com

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