Vermont apple growers expecting good crop

Despite the numerous punches thrown by Mother Nature so far this year, Vermont’s apple growers are still standing. ‘Most growers are subscribing to the concept of the glass being half full, not half empty,’ reports Steve Justis, Executive Director of the Vermont Tree Fruit Growers Association. ‘Tropical storm Irene did cause some damage to orchards, but overall, losses were fairly light. We have a good crop of apples, and we’re still pretty early in the season.’
Many growers saw apple-laden trees blown down from Irene’s strong winds and heavy rains, but Justis estimates that less than one percent of the state’s trees were damaged. ‘Several growers last week felt that the rains were a mixed blessing--- many orchards were getting dry---they needed the rain’, Justis noted.
‘A few early varieties, including Jersey Mac and Paula Red have already been harvested, but the main season is still ahead of us’, notes Justis. ‘McIntosh, Cortland, Honeycrisp, Red Delicious, Empire, Macoun and others will be ready for picking in a matter of days.’ While McIntosh is still the state’s leading variety, representing over 50 percent of the crop, some newer varieties, including Honeycrisp, are growing in popularity. Vermont also excels with many heirloom and antique varieties, ranging from Ananas Reinette (1500’s, France) to Wolf River (1850’s Wisconsin).
Vermont’s 2011 apple harvest is expected to be 600,000 bushels, down 28 percent from the 833,000 boxes harvested in 2010 and 35 percent below the five-year average of 919,000 boxes. The Vermont crop was hindered by record rainfall at the beginning of the season, but recent widespread hail took the biggest bite of production.
The national apple crop is expected to be down three percent in the East, up 58 percent in the Midwest. The western states will be down three percent, for a national gain of three percent over the 2010 crop, and equal to the national 5-year average.
Vermont apple growers are concerned about the numerous road closings across the state, which may keep retail customers away. The Vermont apple growers association has stepped up its marketing efforts this year. Many Vermont growers are participating in the Pick for Your Neighbor program with the Vermont Foodbank and the Apples to iPods promotion with the Vermont Department of Tourism.
Growers have also incorporated artwork by nationally-acclaimed Vermont graphic illustrator Hal Mayforth to encourage consumers to eat more apples.