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 hasn91裸聊视频檛 been practical.

91裸聊视频淢ost of our stock is completely unpickable,91裸聊视频� said Shelley Kempf, owner of Kempf Orchards. 91裸聊视频淧robably one of the worst years in 20 years.91裸聊视频�

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.

91裸聊视频淐herries do not want rain,91裸聊视频� Kempf said. 91裸聊视频淲e are going to try and keep going.91裸聊视频�

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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.

91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 been a challenge, that91裸聊视频檚 for sure,91裸聊视频� she said. 91裸聊视频淚t91裸聊视频檚 been challenging.91裸聊视频�

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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91裸聊视频淎 lot of farmers are keeping an eye on the weather but also planning for it,91裸聊视频� said B.C. Fruit Growers91裸聊视频� 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 isn91裸聊视频檛 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 Kelownian91裸聊视频檚 fatal overdose inspires community-service award

David.venn@kelownacapnews.com
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