Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/489844
6 APRIL 15, 2015 GOOD FRUIT GROWER www.goodfruit.com Another record harvest for wine grapes W ashington State's 2014 wine grape harvest was the largest on record and posted the third consecutive year of growth, reports the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Washington grape growers produced 227,000 tons last year, up 8 percent from the previous year. "We're in a period of strong growth," said Steve Warner, president of the Washington State W i n e C o m m i s s i o n . "Barring any weather events, this will likely be a continuing trend." In 2014, white varieties slightly outproduced reds by 53 to 47 percent. Tonnage from white varieties was 16 percent higher in 2014 than the year before. Riesling was the top variety in the state at 50,500 tons, or 22 percent of the state total. Chardonnay was second with 43,800 tons and the red variety, Cabernet Sauvignon, was third with 42,200 tons. Washington Governor Inslee declares drought emergency W ashington State Governor Jay Inslee has declared a drought emergency for three areas of the state, set- ting in motion money, temporary permitting and other relief for those affected by water conditions. According to the Associated Press, the March 13 decla- ration was prompted by near record-low mountain snow- pack, which supplies much of the water in the regions when it melts in drier summer months. Officials said the worst drought conditions are in the Olympic Peninsula, the east side of the central Cascade Mountains including Yakima and Wenatchee, and the Walla Walla region. A statewide drought was last declared in 2005. While there's adequate water right now, officials expect shortages later in the season, said Kirk Cook, a hydrogeologist with the Department of Agriculture. The Department of Ecology provides funding to lease water rights for irrigators and to boost stream flows for fish. Roza Irrigation District manager Scott Revell told the Yakima Herald-Republic that the drought designation creates more options for his district, which relies on junior rights to serve 72,000 acres in the Yakima Valley. He said the district's board of directors plans to re-assess whether a midseason shutdown will be necessary or if the district will pursue leasing water after the April water supply forecast is released. Go to www.ecy.wa.gov/drought/ for details on state programs managing the issue. Apple specialist retires L eslie Huffman, apple specialist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, retired March 1. She joined OMAFRA in 1981 and worked in fruit and vegetable extension and as the weed management spe- cialist for horticultural crops. Since 2008 she has been the province's apple specialist. She was a frequent traveler with the International Fruit Tree Association. Earlier this year, she received the Golden Apple Award for outstanding contributions to the apple industry, pre- sented at the annual banquet of the Ontario Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association. She and her husband, Doug Balsillie, will focus their attention on the fruit farm they operate with their four daughters near Harrow. Washington fruit commission representatives reappointed M ike Wade of Wenatchee has been reappointed as a representative of the Washington State Fruit Commission on the board of the Northwest Horticultural Council for a one-year period beginning July 1. The Fruit Commission also reappointed Rob Lynch of Yakima to the Washington Tree Fruit Research Commission for a three-year term beginning August 1. QUICK BITES People and industry in the news. Read more Fresh Updates at www.goodfruit.com/fresh-updates "We're in a period of strong growth." —Steve Warner