Rainfall may boost cherry crop yield for Flathead cherry growers

The Flathead Valley’s recent heavy rainfall has done anything but dampen cherry growers’ hopes for a bountiful yield this summer.

Dale Nelson, president of Flathead Lake Cherry Growers Inc., said the cooperative expects an above-average crop yield this year.

“It’s very encouraging,” Brian Campbell, Montana field representative for the Washington-based Monson Fruit Co., said of the precipitation. “The crop looks really good.”

The Flathead Valley has had 4.09 inches of rain so far this month, including nearly 3 inches in the past week. The wettest June on record was in 2005 when 5.66 inches of rain fell.

The valley has received a total of 11.1 inches of precipitation this year — 2.44 inches above normal. Precipitation since

Oct. 1, 2009 is 14.11 inches — 1.39 inches above normal.

This is good news for cherry growers. In addition to promising an abundant yield, a heavy rainfall means growers don’t need to start irrigation as early as they normally do, Campbell said.

“It’s way too early in the development of the fruit [for the rain] to cause any damage,” Campbell said. Heavy rain can cause more ripened fruit to split. As long as the weather dries up by mid-July, he said, the cherries should not be in any danger.  

Nelson said his cooperative is prepared if rain should pose a threat during harvest, which is expected to begin as early as July 20 and end as late as Aug. 9. During harvest, two helicopters provided by the cooperative’s packing company will be available 24 hours a day to dry the trees in the instance of a rainfall. The helicopters can dry 10 acres in 10 to 15 minutes.

“I think it’s going to be a good year,” Nelson said.