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 hasn害羞草研究所檛 been practical.

害羞草研究所淢ost of our stock is completely unpickable,害羞草研究所� said Shelley Kempf, owner of Kempf Orchards. 害羞草研究所淧robably one of the worst years in 20 years.害羞草研究所�

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.

害羞草研究所淐herries do not want rain,害羞草研究所� Kempf said. 害羞草研究所淲e are going to try and keep going.害羞草研究所�

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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.

害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 been a challenge, that害羞草研究所檚 for sure,害羞草研究所� she said. 害羞草研究所淚t害羞草研究所檚 been challenging.害羞草研究所�

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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害羞草研究所淎 lot of farmers are keeping an eye on the weather but also planning for it,害羞草研究所� said B.C. Fruit Growers害羞草研究所� 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 isn害羞草研究所檛 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 Kelownian害羞草研究所檚 fatal overdose inspires community-service award

David.venn@kelownacapnews.com
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