FRESNO COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) — Valley cherry orchards are carrying a large crop this season, but as much as 40% of the fruit might not get harvested because of rain-related damage.<\/p>\n
“Depending on the area, there’s a significant amount of cracking so some fields aren’t even going to be picked,” said Tony Yasuda, a field representative for M & R Farming Company Grower Relations.<\/p>\n
Cherry trees in a Fresno County orchard are loaded with bright red, sweet cherries that appear ready for harvest. At first glance, some sections seem relatively unaffected.<\/p>\n
“This row’s not too bad,” Yasuda said.<\/p>\n
A closer inspection, however, reveals extensive damage. Entire clusters of fruit are split open, showing signs of cracking that can make the cherries unmarketable.<\/p>\n
“The waters gonna stick in this cluster,” Yasuda said as he examined one grouping of fruit.<\/p>\n
According to Yasuda, the damage occurs when rainwater penetrates the cherry’s skin, followed by warm conditions that cause the fruit to expand.<\/p>\n
“Rains gonna penetrate the skin and then the sun comes up and we get heat, expansion and that’s what pops the cherries,” he said.<\/p>\n
Wind has helped blow water off some of the cherries, but others are already showing signs of rot.<\/p>\n
“This is caused by rain and this probably had a suture crack in it,” Yasuda said.<\/p>\n
Yasuda is visiting several Valley ranches to assess how much of the crop can still be salvaged. He said the full extent of the damage is not always immediately clear.<\/p>\n
“You have to wait a day or two to see if you have more cracking,” he said.<\/p>\n
In response to the rain, some growers have brought in helicopters or added extra spraying to dry off the fruit, though the cost can be high. Renting a helicopter can cost about $1,800.<\/p>\n
“With all these rains, people have brought in helicopters or extra sprayers to blow off the crop,” Yasuda said.<\/p>\n
Despite the challenges, Yasuda said Valley farmers tend to take weather-related setbacks in stride.<\/p>\n
“Last year we had no crop. This year we have a crop but with the weather we have cracking,” he said.<\/p>\n
As he summed up the situation facing growers, Yasuda added, “That’s the life of a cherry farmer.”<\/p>\n
Yasuda says the M & R company grows cherries from the Stockton-Lodi area all the way south to Porterville and cherry damage has been found throughout the state.<\/p>\n
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