This cherry season, Oneonta Starr Ranch Growers is upping its game with the introduction of a new packingline. “It is state of the art, with optical sorters that sort and cull fruit that might be missed by the human eye,” National Marketing Representative Dan Wohlford told The Produce News. “It’s also faster and gentler on the fruit, moving them by puffs of air to gently get them to the correct line for packing. This new technology allows us to be very specific in our sizing so we can accurately get our customers the size fruit they want for their most profitable cherry season.”

Oneonta, headquartered in Wenatchee, WA, anticipates a strong 2014 cherry season from start to finish. “The bottom line is that we expect the 2014 cherry season to start a little earlier than normal,” said Wohlford. “[We] have normal sizing with lots of volume to make advertising and promotions attractive from beginning through the end of the season. With a little cooperation from the weather, we should have a great season for everyone, from the grower to the consumer.”

Growers have been getting just the right mix of conditions that aid in cherry development. “At this point in the season, we have had nearly perfect cherry-growing weather,” Wohlford said in mid-May. “There has been very little frost, and daytime temperatures have been nice and warm. That has allowed the bees to do their job and promoted good cell division in the developing cherries.”

According to Wohlford, the fruit is showing a good set, allowing for development of good-sized cherries. He said Oneonta’s first shipments are expected to move June 5-8 with light volume available to retailers. “[We will then be] picking up to load volume around June 13-15 with a first peak June 23-25 just in time for Independence Day ads at retail,” he went on to say. “The month of July will be heavy volume throughout and any week cherries are promotable.”

The next large peak will occur around July 20, and volume will move into August. Dark sweet cherries continue to dominate the company’s manifest at 85 percent of volume.

Rainier cherry production is expected to begin the week of June 16, continuing through July. “We expect a peak of Rainiers in time for July 11, National Rainier Cherry Day,” Wohlford commented.

Oneonta’s Rainier volume continues to grow. “We took out some older Rainier blocks and replaced them with young trees. Those trees are now hitting their stride, and we anticipate a good harvest from them,” Wohlford said.

The company offers a variety of packing options. Oneonta plans to introduce new pouch bags for both its dark sweet varieties and Rainiers this season. “Our tote bins are a big hit again this year,” he went on to say. “With the pouch bags that we are merchandising cherries in now, this bin displays the fruit in a very eye-appealing way.”