Early forecasts were for a cherry crop of up to 18,000 tonnes. The actual figure will be available soon.
This season we were expecting the largest every cherry crop, unfortunately that possibility was dashed by some extreme conditions.
There were bushfires in Victoria and South Australia; many growing regions experienced rain, hail and strong winds; and very high humidity in some regions brought into play brown rot warnings from the Bureau of Meteorology.
Early season fruit was less affected, and fruit quality and displays in sales-outlets were excellent.
Learning from the experience
As always, it is important to find out what can be learned from what happened.
Could we have done things differently for a better outcome?
Knowing that rain was forecast, should a particular variety have been picked a few days earlier for a better result?
End of season review
Most state cherry associations have an end of season review, it is important that as many growers as possible get along and have their say, learn what happened to others, and hopefully come up with a better plan for the next season.
Grower voice
Now more than ever—with a new research and development model under Horticulture Innovations Australia Limited (HIAL)—it is up to the grower to have a voice and be involved in what is likely to take place in the future.
For more information, see Tree Fruit January 2015
