Persistent spring frosts, poor pollination and prolonged rain storms hammered Central Otago cherry crops, particularly those close to harvest. Even with the use of helicopters to blow water from the trees immediately after heavy showers, the damage varied from variety to variety within and through the different growing areas of Roxburgh.Alexandra and Cromwell. Worst affected by frosts and pollination were the cherry orchards in Roxburgh, with lesser damage in Alexandra and through to Cromwell. Larger crop loading for some varieties had mitigated some of the effects of prolonged rain, particularly at New Year. Rain damage was particularly severe to cherries close to harvest when some varieties suffered up to 30 percent damage.
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