Wet fall weather having impact on apple picking
Wet weather good for growing but not for picking
CBC News
Posted: Oct 20, 2012 7:25 PM AT
Last Updated: Oct 20, 2012 7:50 PM AT
Saturday was another washout for apple picking in New Brunswick. (CBC)
The heavy rain in New Brunswick on Saturday was nothing out of the ordinary this fall.
Some apple growers in the province are taking a hit because the wet weather is keeping people from picking fruit from their trees.
Normally at this time of year Don Bostwick's fields would be packed with vehicles but on yet another rainy weekend that's not the case.
"I guess we've worked this long with mother nature, I guess we win, we lose," said Bostwick. "You know, that's the way it goes. I'm used to it. Don't like it, but I'm used to it. There's nothing I can do."
Farmers say the conditions for growing apples are perfect. It's wet and warm and the fruit keep growing and growing. But no one wants to pick the apples during brutally wet conditions.
Bostwick said he could lose about 30 per cent of his sales this year.
But not every u-pick orchard is suffering. Down the road Chas Mackay is having his best year ever. He's open seven days a week. When a day is missed due to rain twice as many people come the next day. While the wet weather is irritating, there are advantages.
"Totally it's annoying. But also it gives me a rest," said MacKay. "I've been going flat out since September 8. But also, for the first time this year I've had more people coming out on weekdays."
Bostwick is considering opening all week to salvage the remainder of his season. But as a full-time dairy farmer, that won't be easy. He said he'll be able to absorb the losses to keep going next year. But the disappointment of seeing one of the best crops he's grown in 30 years go to waste, is far more disheartening than any financial loss.
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