Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/506700
18 MAY 15, 2015 GOOD FRUIT GROWER www.goodfruit.com C alifornia's sweet cherry crop appears to have rebounded this season from a disastrous 2014, although production still lags behind that from earlier this decade. The Sacramento-based California Cherry Board on April 22 accepted a crop estimate of 5.7 million 18-pound boxes for this year's crop, up substantially from the 3.33 million boxes harvested in 2014. Of the 2015 estimate, 2.8 million boxes are Bings. Many blamed warm temperatures and erratic chilling during the 2013-14 winter for last year's poor production, which was 63 percent less than the 9.1 million boxes har- vested in 2013. The 2014 crop also was the smallest since 1998, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service. This year, Stemilt Growers LLC, which is based in Wenatchee, Washington, and owns Chinchiolo Stemilt California LLC in Stockton, California, expected to pack about 750,000 boxes from California, said Brianna Shales, communication manager. Once again this year, weather appears to have played a role in yields of early season varieties in the southern San Joaquin Valley near Arvin, Shafter, and Bakersfi eld. Preseason estimates for southern orchards owned by Stemilt or that ship through Stemilt indicated that pro- duction of the Brooks variety could be only 50 percent California expects a moderate crop Maturity was running a week ahead of normal, minimizing any overlap with the Northwest cherry season. by Vicky Boyd Although many Northern California cherry orchards had a strong bloom, fruit set is spotty and appears UHODWHGWRZKHWKHUWKH½RZHUVZHUHRSHQGXULQJFRRO weather or during record heat. Cherries TJ MULLINAX / GOOD FRUIT GROWER Keep Birds Out GUARANTEED! 888-332-2328 www.BirdGard.com If killing thousands of birds is not an option and netting your entire operation is too expensive, the only way to eliminate bird damage is to convince them to leave. Bird Gard products create an environment where the targeted birds believe they are under imminent attack from their natural predators. ey hear members of their own species scream, "GET AWAY!" At the same time the cries of their natural predators are all around them. Instinct forces them to flee the area. When approaching flocks come in range of Bird Gard units they immediately change course to find somewhere else to feed. A PERMANENT SOLUTION Birds quickly adapt to propane cannons, pyrotechnics and other artificial hazing devices. Bird Gard harnesses the birds' instincts and intra-species communications to convince them to leave. A microprocessor randomizes the order of the sounds, the time off intervals and the relative pitch of the sounds each time they play. is gives the impression there are many different birds under attack from many different raptors. Birds leave and don't come back as long as the Bird Gard units are turned on. How much will they eat this year? 1-YEAR SATISFACTION GUARANTEE: If Bird Gard does not work to your satisfaction, just send it back for a prompt, hassle-free refund of your purchase price. Any benefit you received is our gift to you for trying our products.