2024 good for most but not all Washington agriculture products
The winter brought some challenges for the grape vines, including deep freeze incidents in January, Executive Director of the Washington Wine Growers Association Colleen Frei said that the vines managed to recover without suffering severe damage.
CHERYL SCHWEIZER/COLUMBIA BASIN HERALD
DuPont noted that Washington will see a lower-than-average pear yield this season due to the winter damage with only around 75% of the crop surviving the frosts, Executive Director of the Washington Wine Growers Association Colleen Frei said.
Executive Director of the Washington Wine Growers Association Colleen Frei said that the grape season went well and she is excited to make tasty wine from them.
Tree Fruit Extension Specialist Tianna DuPont spoke about the apples, pears and stone fruit. Pears and stone fruit had a harder season; however, apples thrived according to DuPont.
The cherry growing conditions were favorable, with the exception of a heatwave at the start of July that prompted farmers to begin picking cherries earlier than expected, according to President of the Washington Fruit Commission BJ Thurlby
The 2024 apple season had a hard start to the season with late frosts, however many orchards were able to bounce back with flavorful apples, Tree Fruit Extension Specialist Tianna DuPoint said.
COLUMBIA BASIN — Washington, and more specifically the Columbia Basin, is known for its impact in agriculture, growing millions of pounds of apples, wheat, potatoes and other food.
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