Officials are working to quantify the actual effect that a July 20 hail storm will have upon this year's crop of Washington apples, but the news is not all that bad. According to Jon DeVaney, executive director of the Yakima Valley Growers-Shippers Association, the Evergreen State is gearing up for what appears to be the second-largest fresh apple crop in the state's history.

Daytime temperatures in Salinas, CA, were expected to range in the mid- to upper 60s through Aug. 28 with overnight lows in the mid-50s. Patchy morning and evening fog was forecast to persist through Aug. 28.

Continued hot and sunny days were predicted for Mendota, CA, through the remainder of August. Daytime temperatures were expected to range in the upper 90s through Aug. 28 with overnight lows in the low 60s.

TRANSPORTATION & FUEL

Demand for trucks in California remains steady. Freight rates are holding steady near current levels.

Stemilt Growers' Artisan Organic peaches have been touted as a "Best of the Season" item by Anthony's Restaurants, a popular Northwest seafood chain, earning the delicious summer fruit several appearances on the restaurant's menu during the month of August.

Presumptive Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney named Tom Nassif, president and chief executive officer of Western Growers Association, as one of six national chairs of his Farmers & Ranchers for Romney coalition.

The Michigan apple industry suffered huge crop losses stemming from historic weather events in late winter and spring. An early heat wave followed by a frost-filled spring resulted in the largest apple crop loss since the 1940s.

"We are predicting a crop of about 3 million bushels, compared to our normal 20 [million] to 23 million," Diane Smith, executive director of the Michigan Apple Committee, told The Produce News. "It wasn't just apples that were devastated. Cherry and other stone fruit crops also suffered huge losses."

CHICAGO - The 2012 Apple Crop Outlook & Marketing Conference, held here, kicked off on Thursday, Aug. 16 with its first general session meeting and although the forecast for the 2012 U.S. apple crop isn't as promising as years prior, growers and industry veterans are remaining optimistic about what's to come.

"This year certainly does present quite a number of challenges," Mark Seetin, USApple director of regulatory and industry affairs, said during his presentation.