US: Citrus growers to get a break from the cold
“We estimate that the industry absorbed another $21 million in frost defense expenses over the long weekend,” reports CCM President Joel Nelsen. The total for the month of December, or since the beginning of harvest, is estimated to be $87.8 million. “Mother Nature has triggered frost defense measures at least 20 and more likely 25 nights just this month making it one of the most daunting months in recent memory,” Nelsen added. Lows the 24th through the 26th in the orange belt ran from a low of 24.4 degrees every night in West Lindsay to a much warmer 29.8, 28.9 and 29.8, respectively, in West Terra Bella. East Lindsay recorded a 27.9 degrees on the 25th, while East Porterville never saw a temperature below 28 degrees.
Growers and field crews are now out assessing damage starting with the exterior of the trees farthest from wind machines. Should damage be discovered, producers will then inspect the inside portion of a tree for further damage. If damage appears there, the producer will begin surveying the next row in, closest to a wind machine, for a damage assessment. Typically, wind machines will service ten acres. Growers have indicated that in traditional citrus growing regions along the foothills the lows have been high enough to survive damage. Typically, temperatures along the foothills run 2 to 4 degrees warmer than the Valley floor, approximately west of Highway 65. It is those new groves west of Highway 65 — a lot of which are mandarins — were hit hardest.
There is an expectation that navel oranges and lemons, both of which are just starting their season, will survive the December weather. Clementine and other mandarin varieties are expected to have suffered some loss, the extent of which will take some time to determine. But for the most part the $2 billion crop, 85% of which remains on the tree, is expected to be of good quality. Helping fuel the optimism are the relative warm days which increases pulp temperatures thus allowing fruit to restore some normalcy internally. “Again the strong inversion layers have allowed growers to elevate grove temperatures 4 to 5 degrees minimizing potential damage,” said Nelsen. Daytime highs over the weekend ranged from 57 to 65 degrees, again warmer along the foothills than in the Valley.
The constant bombardment of cold weather is beginning to be reflected with equipment fatigue. Crews are monitoring equipment for adequate fuel, strain, and/or other forms of potential breakdown thus, day-by-day equipment servicing is more rampant. The late start to the 2011/12 season has left a greater percentage of fruit on the tree than normal with 85 percent of the crop vulnerable to frost damage. “While it appears this week, at least the forecast, will be more positive the industry realizes that Mother Nature can deliver a cold damaging night all the way through February;” Nelsen concludes. While the forecast is for warmer temperatures, it does not contain any rain. It looks like December will end with no rainfall, only the fifth time that has occurred in 117 years.
Source: recorderonline.com