MILTON-FREEWATER, Ore. (AP) — Production is down by about 60 percent for cherry growers in Eastern Oregon’s Milton-Freewater Valley after an early winter and cold spring.
The East Oregonian reports the worst hit trees were those older than 30 years or younger than 4 years old. Some cherry growers lost an entire orchard, while others expect a productive close to the season.
Crop consultant Dennis Burks says many of the trees hadn’t yet entered their dormant period when an early November frost hit, leaving more damage than most years.
Burks says he estimates growers will get about 40 percent of a normal crop
Harvesting will continue in Milton-Freewater until the end of next week.
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Information from: East Oregonian, http://www.eastoregonian.info