Farmers and processors are keeping a close eye on weather conditions and market balance as they reflect on last year’s unpredictable growing season. Michelle Penney, who works with her family in the farming and processing industry, emphasized the importance of cold winter temperatures, known as chill hours, for tree dormancy and crop production.
“Last year, we saw the lack of chill hours had some really negative effects,” Penney said. “We see trees that didn’t go completely dormant and didn’t have the energy to push the crop that we thought we were going to get despite the great bloom.”
The extreme summer heat also added to the challenges, creating uncertainty in yields. While growers hope for a more stable season, Penney warned that an oversupply could be just as problematic. A bumper crop may seem ideal, but if supply outpaces demand, prices drop, and growers struggle to remain profitable.
Maintaining a balanced market is crucial for both farmers and processors. Low grower returns can lead to cost-cutting measures, reducing quality and making it harder to market the crop effectively. As Penney put it, “Everybody just wants it to stay balanced and healthy.”
Sabrina Halvorson
National Correspondent / AgNet Media, Inc.
Sabrina Halvorson is an award-winning journalist, broadcaster, and public speaker who specializes in agriculture. She primarily reports on legislative issues and hosts The AgNet News Hour. She was recently named the 2024 Farm Broadcaster of the Year by the National Association of Farm Broadcasting and serves as a Council Member on the World Agriculture Forum. Sabrina is a native of California’s agriculture-rich Central Valley and now divides her time between California and North Dakota.