Horticulture News 

M. E. Garcia , Tree Fruits Specialist

Crop outlook (Notes from August The Fruit Growers News)

The US apple crop for '99 is estimated at 250 bushels, with the majority of the fruit going to the fresh market.  For the western states the crop is estimated at 154,500 bushels, down from its five-year average of 158,390.  Washington state's crop is estimated at 123,000 bushels, down from its five year average of 124, 762 and about 14% lower than last year.  Michigan state production is estimated at 24,812, up by more than 1,000 bushels from its five-year average.  For the eastern states, the crop estimate is 65,500 up by more than 10,000 bushels from the 1998 crop and its five-year average, with the New York crop higher than the five year average by 3,000 bushels. Here in  Vermont, most growers estimate their crops to be within the average range for the state, and higher than last year.  These estimates were taken earlier in the season.  It is difficult to predict the effects of the drought, especially for those states that have been affected such as New York and Pennsylvania, and Virginia because of the loss in fruit quality reflected in smaller fruit size.  For example, in southern New England, approximately 30% reduction in the growth rate of McIntosh has been found in water stressed trees.  In Vermont, the effect of the drought is difficult to ascertain because it is so scattered throughout the state.  In most orchards, fruit is smaller in size, but good color and finish.