This week, the cherry harvest began at Royal Ridge Fruits in Washington. Incentive and piece-rate payment systems are in place for all crops in the United States.
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From humble beginnings in 1962, with a few acres of prairie in central Washington, the Dorsing family has grown to become one of the largest cherry growers in the western United States. Today, Dorsing Farms continues to thrive in Washington's fertile Columbia Basin. Under third-generation family management, the farm has expanded to over 2,500 acres of conventional and certified organic sweet cherries, blueberries, raspberries, tree fruits, and other crops.
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Field and office managers receive special real-time mapping notifications on production by variety and packaging style, as well as efficiency reports for harvesting and packing. The versatility of PET-Tiger allows customization and localization for any crop, geographical area, payroll system, wage order, legal compliance, operational policies, piece-rate, and bonus calculations.
The weather factors mainly affected the first cherries of the year. The harvest will not reach its maximum production potential and will be around 8,700 tonnes out of a possible 9,500 tonnes, which is slightly above the average of the last five years.
Chilean cherries continue to dominate in China, but markets like North America and Europe demand consistent quality. The industry's challenge is to improve production standards, focusing on size, firmness, and defect-free fruit to remain globally competitive.
A study of 125 wild cherry trees in western Poland reveals how temperature and rainfall influence annual growth rings. Analysis of five populations highlights the importance of March weather, July temperatures and habitats in shaping tree growth and climate responses.
US fresh cherry exports are forecast to fall to 62,000 tonnes in 2026/27 as frost damage cuts total output to 317,200 tonnes. California's early harvest contrasts with losses in the Pacific Northwest, reshaping production and export prospects. Asian markets remain key.