West Coast apple growers are enjoying a great season but it may take a while for them to see their profits

On the West Coast, apple growers are preparing for a strong harvest.

Despite the positive outlook, industry leaders warn it could take some time for those growers to see the financial fruits of their labor.

“Of course, we’d love to have the supply-demand equilibrium just work out perfectly and, you know, everybody gets the price that they want. But in the world of tree fruit, it can take a while to kind of fine-tune those levels to the point where growers can get the return that they really need,” said Michael Schadler, president of the Washington Apple Commission.

Schadler says the largest issue facing the apple industry this year has been labor.

Related Stories
Pollination costs remain volatile, raising planning risk for specialty crop producers.
Crop-specific shifts and strong prices highlight the variability of this year’s fruit and tree nut harvest, according to USDA data.
FarmHER Kait Thornton joined us on Thursday on the Market Day Report to talk about the podcast episode, her family orchard’s 100th anniversary + more!
Justin Wilson’s unexpected cobbler recipe features juicy blueberries, a splash of brandy, and a tender crust with subtle nuttiness thanks to a bit of peanut butter melted into the batter.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

House ag leaders had hoped to get the Farm Bill voted on by Easter, but no dates have been secured just yet.
Kansas State University agricultural economist Dr. Gregg Ibendahl discusses rising diesel prices, the influence of global oil markets, and the potential impact on farmers heading into the spring planting season.
Vive’s Art Graves shared insights on the new Phobos FC 360 foliar fungicide, its advantages for Canadian growers, early performance results, and the company’s ongoing commitment to advanced crop protection solutions.
Kentucky Firefighters Jonathan and Lonny Epley and Extension Agent Leann Martin tell us about a new portable grain bin rescue tool, and its potential to enhance safety for farmers and first responders nationwide.
Agriculture Shows
Hosted by Scott “The Cow Guy” Shellady and RFD News Markets Specialist Tony St. James, Commodity Talk delivers expert insight into the day’s ag commodity markets just before the CME opens. Only on RFD-TV and Rural Radio SiriusXM Channel 147.
A look at the news, weather and commodities headlines that drove agriculture markets in the past week.
Everything profits from prairie. Soil, air, water — and all kinds of life! Learn how you can improve your land with prairie restoration, cover crops and prairie strips, while growing your bottom line.
Special 3-part series tells the story of the Claas family’s legacy, which changed agriculture forever.