Assessment of apple crop in Vermont after Floyd

Although tropical storm Floyd brought the state relief from the summer drought, and this has helped in increasing fruit size, its arrival could not have been at a worst time because its arrival coincided with the start  of McIntosh harvest. After several orchard visits and various telephone conversations, this is my general assessment of the negative impact of this storm had on the state's apple industry. 

It appears that fruit drop varies depending on the location and the status of the trees.  Whereas, most fruit drop reported has been on the average of 1/3 of the crop left on the trees,  reports as high as 75% has been reported in areas close to Lake Champlain.  Weaker trees seem to have more fruit drop than healthy trees.  Some growers have reported that the use of ReTain did help on preventing some fruit drop, while other growers have reported no appreciable effect on drop by the use of ReTain. 

At first glance, fruit drop of various cultivars, including McIntosh, Red Delicious and Empire,  appears to be the most economically devastating effect of Floyd.  However, a closer look at the fruit still on the trees reveals many signs of fruit damage such as bruising, cuts, and puncture wounds.  This damage to the fruit will result in lower pack-out and increase the time needed for harvesting and grading of the fruit.  One grower informed me he was spending one third more on harvesting costs due to the fact that the pickers were having to check the fruit for