"Depending on the area, there's a significant amount of cracking so some fields aren't even going to be picked," said Tony Yasuda, a field representative for M & R Farming Company Grower Relations.
Cherry trees in a Fresno County orchard are loaded with bright red, sweet cherries that appear ready for harvest. At first glance, some sections seem relatively unaffected.
"This row's not too bad," Yasuda said.
A closer inspection, however, reveals extensive damage. Entire clusters of fruit are split open, showing signs of cracking that can make the cherries unmarketable.
"The waters gonna stick in this cluster," Yasuda said as he examined one grouping of fruit.
According to Yasuda, the damage occurs when rainwater penetrates the cherry's skin, followed by warm conditions that cause the fruit to expand.
"Rains gonna penetrate the skin and then the sun comes up and we get heat, expansion and that's what pops the cherries," he said.
Wind has helped blow water off some of the cherries, but others are already showing signs of rot.
"This is caused by rain and this probably had a suture crack in it," Yasuda said.
Yasuda is visiting several Valley ranches to assess how much of the crop can still be salvaged. He said the full extent of the damage is not always immediately clear.
"You have to wait a day or two to see if you have more cracking," he said.
In response to the rain, some growers have brought in helicopters or added extra spraying to dry off the fruit, though the cost can be high. Renting a helicopter can cost about $1,800.
"With all these rains, people have brought in helicopters or extra sprayers to blow off the crop," Yasuda said.
Despite the challenges, Yasuda said Valley farmers tend to take weather-related setbacks in stride.
"Last year we had no crop. This year we have a crop but with the weather we have cracking," he said.
As he summed up the situation facing growers, Yasuda added, "That's the life of a cherry farmer."
Yasuda says the M & R company grows cherries from the Stockton-Lodi area all the way south to Porterville and cherry damage has been found throughout the state.
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