The Okanagan has seen its fair share of wet weather over the past two weeks, causing some farmers to hire helicopters to blow dry their cherry crops.

For some, that hasnsa国际传媒檛 been practical.

sa国际传媒淢ost of our stock is completely unpickable,sa国际传媒� said Shelley Kempf, owner of Kempf Orchards. sa国际传媒淧robably one of the worst years in 20 years.sa国际传媒�

Shelley and her husband Herb have seen about 50 to 60 per cent of their cherries split, causing the early crop of cherries to be all but wiped out.

sa国际传媒淐herries do not want rain,sa国际传媒� Kempf said. sa国际传媒淲e are going to try and keep going.sa国际传媒�

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Kempf is trying to stay hopeful while going through the process of filing for crop insurance compensation and said that other cherry varieties, ripening later in summer, might prove to be fresh and healthy. Otherwise, her nine-acre farmland will not be profitable.

Penny Gambell, from Gambell Farms, said they have a variety of crops on their farm, diversifying their portfolio so the impact from poor weather is minimized.

sa国际传媒淚tsa国际传媒檚 been a challenge, thatsa国际传媒檚 for sure,sa国际传媒� she said. sa国际传媒淚tsa国际传媒檚 been challenging.sa国际传媒�

But overall, Gambell said her cherries are extra sweet this year, definitely pickable and will recover later in summer, weather permitting.

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sa国际传媒淎 lot of farmers are keeping an eye on the weather but also planning for it,sa国际传媒� said B.C. Fruit Growerssa国际传媒� Association president Bhupinder Dhaliwal.

There are many tactics farmers can use to mitigate damage to their crops, Dhaliwal explained, such as proactive irrigation management, rain guards for the cherries or helicopter drying.

Gambell said helicopter drying isnsa国际传媒檛 economically worth it unless you have at least 10 acres. Instead, she said her son has been drying the cherries with an orchard blower after rainfall to keep the cherries from serious splitting.

READ MORE: A young Kelowniansa国际传媒檚 fatal overdose inspires community-service award

David.venn@kelownacapnews.com
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