Thurlby: Growers Will Be Back With Great Fruit After Challenging 2021

When looking back on 2021, one of the most discussed topics was the record heat the Pacific Northwest saw in late June. The area saw temperatures well into the 110’s, but making matters worse for the cherry industry was the fact the heat came during the heart of harvest. B.J. Thurlby, president of Northwest Cherry Growers, said growers across the PNW are already looking ahead to making 2022 a great harvest.

"At this point, we’re hoping to go into winter and spend a lot of time and talk with our scientific community about what did the heat do to these trees and what do we have to do moving forward to find ways to get a harvest if we’re looking at these kinds of temperatures.”

Thurlby said growers should feel good going into the cooler weather.

“We’ll be back next year with great fruit and the growers know it and they know how to grow it, and after that, you’ve got a treat product from there on out.  So I’d just say hang tight, we’re going to be working to make sure you guys are staying healthy and staying in this business.”

If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail gvaagen@cherrycreekmedia.com