Frost, wind to affect early-season production for Borton
Frost, wind to affect early-season production for Borton
Ron Everts, fieldman for Borton & Sons Inc. in Yakima, WA, said the company’s Northwest cherry volume will track with statewide predictions for a reduced crop during 2013. “The overall cherry production will be down due to two factors: damage from frost in certain areas and the wind during bloom time causing poor pollination,” he told The Produce News. “The Northwest Cherry meeting that took place on May 15 stated they are projecting at this time that the overall cherry crop will be down about 20 percent.”
Byron and Bill Borton of Borton & Sons examined cherry orchards at the Flat Top Ranch. (Photo courtesy of Borton & Sons Inc.) Borton will be marketing Rainiers as well as Bings, Vans, Chelans, Lapins, Skeenas, Santinas, Tietons, Bentons, Lamberts, Black Republicans, Kionas, Cowichee, Crystalinas, Royal Annes, Coral Champagnes and Sweethearts.
As a company, Borton added six more growers to its network this season, bringing additional production acreage into the fold. “Even with the new growers we picked up, volume will be down some,” he went on to say. “We are probably right in the same ballpark as the industry as a whole.”
In addition to cherries, the company is a grower-packer-shipper of premium apples and pears.
“Since bloom time, we have had very nice weather and the cherries are growing well,” Everts said.
Rob Dresker, director of international sales and marketing, said the company moves its cherries into global pipelines. “Last year, we marketed about 20 percent of our product internationally, which would make the domestic percentage right around 80 percent,” he stated. “This year, we are looking to explore other markets. So that may change a little this season.”
Borton plans to introduce a new stand-up cherry pouch bag complete with new graphics this season.