Posted: 01.26.2011

It started off looking like a wonderful growing season for Wisconsin's cherry and apple crop - and then, a surprise freeze changed it all.

The Wisconsin Ag Statistical Service says Wisconsin’s apple season got off to an early start with warm temperatures in April only to be followed by freezing temperatures during blossom time. That freeze ended up dropping many blossoms which determine fruit amount. Apple production in 2010 totaled 37.0 million pounds, with 31.9 mil-lion pounds of utilized production. Production and utilization were down 14.9 percent and 12.6 percent, respectively, from 2009. Bearing acres were down 100 acres in Wisconsin to 4,100. Yields decreased 1,380 pounds per acre to 9,020. Prices rose 25 percent from 2009 to $0.516 per pound in 2010.

It was the same scenario for Wisconsin's tart cherry production. Too much moisture and freezing temperatures in May caused damage during blooming and poor pollination. This had a detrimental effect on many orchards and eliminated some of the crop. Wisconsin farmers harvested 5.7 million pounds of tart cherries in 2010, down 48 percent from 2009. Yields were also down 48 percent to 3,170 pounds per acre. Prices increased from $0.280 to $0.293 per pound in 2010.

« back to news articles