Cranberry Forecast Looks Promising for WI Growers

By CnAgri2012-08-16 19:41:32 Print

Although the drought has hit farmers in many parts of the state hard this summer, Wisconsin cranberry producers say excellent pollination will help give them a nice harvest later this fall.

The USDA released its cranberry crop forecast numbers on Tuesday, which predicts Wisconsin will bring in about 4.5 million barrels of the tart fruit in 2012.

Nationally, the cranberry crop is forecast at 7.68 million barrels, down less than one percent from 2011. Massachusetts, which is the second leading producer behind Wisconsin, reports that their early spring caused growth to progress ahead of normal, but growers in some areas experienced frost damage.

In New Jersey, growers reported an average crop that required more irrigation than normal due to hot, dry weather. Wet growing conditions delayed crop progress in Oregon and Washington this year.

Wisconsin's annual cranberry harvest will begin in late September or early October.