Re: Apple-Crop: Early season hail damage

[George M. Greene]

Hi All:

When I worked in PA and was working on corking in apples I felt that 
hail damage could sometimes be confused with corking.  Of course it 
probably is dependent on the depth of the damage and when it occurred.


I liked the comments about growers who sell directly to consumers. 
If they have any loyalty at all your customers shouldn't be bothered 
by a little hail damage.  I agree that it provides the grower with a 
great chance to educate customers about the perils of being a farmer.


Best regards, George

PS.  My Redhaven set a big crop and I just finished thinning.  A 
great day here today but hot and humid on Tuesday and Wed.

--
George M. Greene II
68 Willow Lane
Wiscasset, ME 04578
[EMAIL PROTECTED]
207-882-8074



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Re: Apple-Crop: Early season hail damage

[Mike Arvay]

Glen,

My wife and I just bought a small established orchard almost two years 
ago.  Wouldn't you know it, our first year as growers and we had not 1, 
but 2 hail storms.  They weren't golf ball sized hail, but still, hail 
is hail.  They were both early on, in last years crop, and I feared the 
worst.  I figured we'd be buying apples wholesale.  They actually turned 
out not as bad as we thought.  Some varieties faired better than 
others.  If I remember the Big Red Gala cracked pretty badly.  The hail 
didn't crack them, however, the bruise that formed didn't grow with the 
skin, and it caused the apples to crack.  Out of our 10 trees of Big Red 
Gala, I only had a few worth taste testing.  The rest were a loss.  But 
others like the Jonathan really made it through.


As a very smart grower told us.  Don't mark them down as hail damaged 
apples, mark them up as "Ice-Kissed" apples.  If Florida can do the 
Sun-Kissed, why not?


Mike Arvay
Deer Creek Orchard
Owner / Apple Picker
Galveston, IN 46932

Glen Koehler wrote:


A Maine orchard sustained considerable hail damage today.  The hail 
did not cut through the skin, but only slightly dented the fruit.  The 
fruit are roughly 1 inch diameter or less.  This happened in another 
orchard a few years ago and if I recall correctly (big if) most of the 
fruit turned out to saleable in the end.  The orchard in question this 
year is 99% on-farm retail, so blemish tolerance is presumably higher 
than for the wholesale fresh fruit channel.


 

 The grower and I would appreciate hearing from folks who have 
experienced similar situation and what were the eventual effects of 
the early season not-cutting hail dents.


Thanks, Glen

 


Glen Koehler
Pest Management Office
491 College Avenue
Orono, ME  04473
Tel:  207-581-3882
Email:  [EMAIL PROTECTED] 
Web:  PRONewEngland.org 
Fax:  207-581-3881

TDD 1-800-287-8957

 

What we call the secret of happiness is no more a secret than our 
willingness to choose life. - Leo Buscaglia


 




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Re: Apple-Crop: Early season hail damage

[david kollas]

Hail...fireblight...over-thinning...underthinning...equipment 
breakdown...et cetera;
all useful learning experiences in the long run, no doubt. If we can 
survive to old age,
and remain enthused about orcharding, (BIG "if") we will be the wisest 
growers in the business, and surely supremely successful (I can't wait!) 
but the challenge that lights our fire will be gone.


In James 5.7 we find the farmer is given as an example of patience. 
Speaking for myself, this patience is not necessarily a virtue, but 
sometimes is simply the only alternative.


David Kollas
Kollas Orchard
Tolland, CT
On Saturday, June 23, 2007, at 09:01 PM, Kurt Alstede wrote:


Fellow Growers,


On the serious side, when I am faced with some hard trouble I always 
remind myself of  James chapter 1, verses 2 through 5:


 

   “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face 
trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith 
develops perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you 
may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.  If any of you lacks 
wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding 
fault, and it will be given to him.”


 

I can honestly say that every trial I have endured in farming during 
the past 25 years has improved our business or improved my ability to 
manage our business.  What seems like a disaster today will bring about 
a positive result somewhere down the line.


 

Kind Regards,

 

 

Kurt W. Alstede

General Manager

Alstede Farms, LLC

P. O. Box 278

Chester, New Jersey 07930

United States of America

 

Tel.  908-879-7189

 

 

 

From:apple-crop@virtualorchard.net [mailto:apple-
[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Maurice Tougas
Sent: Saturday, June 23, 2007 12:38 PM
To: Apple-Crop
Subject: Re: Apple-Crop: Early season hail damage

 

Glen

In early July 2001 we experienced a pretty good hail storm on our 25 
acres of apples. All fruit had at least dents, many multiple skin 
pierces. Crop insurance adjuster called it 100% loss. We sell all of 
our crop retail, mostly pyo.


It was heartbreaking for the entire season to look at all those damaged 
fruit every day. We spent the next month thinning out as many torn 
fruit as we could. That was a good move. At harvest we explained to all 
customer that the fruit had been "Kissed by Mother Nature". We found 
that most (99% )customers were content, though they did not purchase as 
much fruit as they would have. I felt we had already sustained a loss 
of volume, and an increase in expenses, and so could not afford a loss 
on price, and so we raised our price 15% over the last years price. 
That turned out to be the best decision we made, as our dollar sales 
that year were the best in 20 years. I know it is counter intuitive, 
but the numbers do not lie.Be upfront with your customers. They have a 
stake in your continuing in business. Remind them of that!


 

Last night we saw hail for the second time this season. Last year, 
twice, and twice in 2001.  In the previous 20 years, we saw hail 1 
time. Is this pattern typical for a short period, or are we entering a 
prolonged pattern?


 

Maurice Tougas

Tougas Family Farm

Northborough,MA

 

On Jun 22, 2007, at 10:08 PM, Karl Townsend wrote:



 

 The grower and I would appreciate hearing from folks who have 
experienced similar situation and what were the eventual effects of the 
early season not-cutting hail dents.


Thanks, Glen

 

Those dents will leave a dead and pithy spot in the apple just under 
the surface. Not number 1 grade.


 

I'm sure no two hail storms are exactly the same. In the last 25 years 
we've had early hail three times. I think it pays for farm market 
orchards to go through the trees and hand thin most of the hail marks 
out. The remaining fruit will be larger and higher quality. And its 
easier to sort bad apples out now so you don't have an awful time at 
harvest. Of course if you've got 70% plus damage, save your time - go 
fishing.


 

I feel for you, its a real heartbreak.

 

Karl

 



 

RE: Apple-Crop: Early season hail damage

[Kurt Alstede]

Fellow Growers,

 

Isn't Al Gore the new weather expert?  Perhaps he could share his keen
insight on the greater occurrence of hail in New England.

 

On the serious side, when I am faced with some hard trouble I always remind
myself of  James chapter 1, verses 2 through 5:

 

   "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials
of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops
perseverance.  Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature
and complete, not lacking anything.  If any of you lacks wisdom, he should
ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be
given to him." 

 

I can honestly say that every trial I have endured in farming during the
past 25 years has improved our business or improved my ability to manage our
business.  What seems like a disaster today will bring about a positive
result somewhere down the line.

 

Kind Regards,

 

 

Kurt W. Alstede

General Manager

Alstede Farms, LLC

P. O. Box 278

Chester, New Jersey 07930

United States of America

 

Tel.  908-879-7189

 

 

 

From: apple-crop@virtualorchard.net [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
On Behalf Of Maurice Tougas
Sent: Saturday, June 23, 2007 12:38 PM
To: Apple-Crop
Subject: Re: Apple-Crop: Early season hail damage

 

Glen

In early July 2001 we experienced a pretty good hail storm on our 25 acres
of apples. All fruit had at least dents, many multiple skin pierces. Crop
insurance adjuster called it 100% loss. We sell all of our crop retail,
mostly pyo.

It was heartbreaking for the entire season to look at all those damaged
fruit every day. We spent the next month thinning out as many torn fruit as
we could. That was a good move. At harvest we explained to all customer that
the fruit had been "Kissed by Mother Nature". We found that most (99%
)customers were content, though they did not purchase as much fruit as they
would have. I felt we had already sustained a loss of volume, and an
increase in expenses, and so could not afford a loss on price, and so we
raised our price 15% over the last years price. That turned out to be the
best decision we made, as our dollar sales that year were the best in 20
years. I know it is counter intuitive, but the numbers do not lie.Be upfront
with your customers. They have a stake in your continuing in business.
Remind them of that!

 

Last night we saw hail for the second time this season. Last year, twice,
and twice in 2001.  In the previous 20 years, we saw hail 1 time. Is this
pattern typical for a short period, or are we entering a prolonged pattern?

 

Maurice Tougas

Tougas Family Farm

Northborough,MA

 

On Jun 22, 2007, at 10:08 PM, Karl Townsend wrote:





 

 The grower and I would appreciate hearing from folks who have experienced
similar situation and what were the eventual effects of the early season
not-cutting hail dents.

Thanks, Glen

 

Those dents will leave a dead and pithy spot in the apple just under the
surface. Not number 1 grade.

 

I'm sure no two hail storms are exactly the same. In the last 25 years we've
had early hail three times. I think it pays for farm market orchards to go
through the trees and hand thin most of the hail marks out. The remaining
fruit will be larger and higher quality. And its easier to sort bad apples
out now so you don't have an awful time at harvest. Of course if you've got
70% plus damage, save your time - go fishing.

 

I feel for you, its a real heartbreak.

 

Karl

 





 

Re: Apple-Crop: Early season hail damage

[dmnorton]

I'm curious.  Did anyone experiencing hail damage do a strep spray within 24 
hours of the hail (trauma)?  

Dennis Norton
Royal Oak Farm Orchard
http://www.royaloakfarmorchard.com
http://www.theorchardkeeper.blogspot.com
http://www.revivalhymn.com
  - Original Message - 
  From: Daryl Hunter 
  To: Apple-Crop 
  Sent: Saturday, June 23, 2007 5:24 PM
  Subject: Re: Apple-Crop: Early season hail damage


  Glen,

  Not far away from you, across the border in Keswick Ridge, New Brunswick we 
got hit twice in the same day with severe hail damage.  I've posted some 
pictures to illustrate.  
  http://naturetone.tripod.com/hail/index.htm

  These fruit are about 3/4 to 1 inch in diameter.  Obviously fruit in the 
lower canopy got less damage, bruising but not cutting. 

  (Ignore the advertising on these two pages  it is automatic when using 
"free" web sites.)

  Daryl Hunter
  Keswick Ridge
  New Brunswick
  Canada
- Original Message - 
From: Maurice Tougas 
To: Apple-Crop 
Sent: Saturday, June 23, 2007 12:37 PM
    Subject: Re: Apple-Crop: Early season hail damage


Glen 
In early July 2001 we experienced a pretty good hail storm on our 25 acres 
of apples. All fruit had at least dents, many multiple skin pierces. Crop 
insurance adjuster called it 100% loss. We sell all of our crop retail, mostly 
pyo.
It was heartbreaking for the entire season to look at all those damaged 
fruit every day. We spent the next month thinning out as many torn fruit as we 
could. That was a good move. At harvest we explained to all customer that the 
fruit had been "Kissed by Mother Nature". We found that most (99% )customers 
were content, though they did not purchase as much fruit as they would have. I 
felt we had already sustained a loss of volume, and an increase in expenses, 
and so could not afford a loss on price, and so we raised our price 15% over 
the last years price. That turned out to be the best decision we made, as our 
dollar sales that year were the best in 20 years. I know it is counter 
intuitive, but the numbers do not lie.Be upfront with your customers. They have 
a stake in your continuing in business. Remind them of that!


Last night we saw hail for the second time this season. Last year, twice, 
and twice in 2001.  In the previous 20 years, we saw hail 1 time. Is this 
pattern typical for a short period, or are we entering a prolonged pattern?


Maurice Tougas
Tougas Family Farm
Northborough,MA


On Jun 22, 2007, at 10:08 PM, Karl Townsend wrote:



   
 The grower and I would appreciate hearing from folks who have 
experienced similar situation and what were the eventual effects of the early 
season not-cutting hail dents.

Thanks, Glen


 
Those dents will leave a dead and pithy spot in the apple just under 
the surface. Not number 1 grade.


I'm sure no two hail storms are exactly the same. In the last 25 years 
we've had early hail three times. I think it pays for farm market orchards to 
go through the trees and hand thin most of the hail marks out. The remaining 
fruit will be larger and higher quality. And its easier to sort bad apples out 
now so you don't have an awful time at harvest. Of course if you've got 70% 
plus damage, save your time - go fishing.


I feel for you, its a real heartbreak.


Karl

Re: Apple-Crop: Early season hail damage

[Daryl Hunter]

Glen,

Not far away from you, across the border in Keswick Ridge, New Brunswick we got 
hit twice in the same day with severe hail damage.  I've posted some pictures 
to illustrate.  
http://naturetone.tripod.com/hail/index.htm

These fruit are about 3/4 to 1 inch in diameter.  Obviously fruit in the lower 
canopy got less damage, bruising but not cutting. 

(Ignore the advertising on these two pages  it is automatic when using 
"free" web sites.)

Daryl Hunter
Keswick Ridge
New Brunswick
Canada
  - Original Message - 
  From: Maurice Tougas 
  To: Apple-Crop 
  Sent: Saturday, June 23, 2007 12:37 PM
  Subject: Re: Apple-Crop: Early season hail damage


  Glen
  In early July 2001 we experienced a pretty good hail storm on our 25 acres of 
apples. All fruit had at least dents, many multiple skin pierces. Crop 
insurance adjuster called it 100% loss. We sell all of our crop retail, mostly 
pyo.
  It was heartbreaking for the entire season to look at all those damaged fruit 
every day. We spent the next month thinning out as many torn fruit as we could. 
That was a good move. At harvest we explained to all customer that the fruit 
had been "Kissed by Mother Nature". We found that most (99% )customers were 
content, though they did not purchase as much fruit as they would have. I felt 
we had already sustained a loss of volume, and an increase in expenses, and so 
could not afford a loss on price, and so we raised our price 15% over the last 
years price. That turned out to be the best decision we made, as our dollar 
sales that year were the best in 20 years. I know it is counter intuitive, but 
the numbers do not lie.Be upfront with your customers. They have a stake in 
your continuing in business. Remind them of that!


  Last night we saw hail for the second time this season. Last year, twice, and 
twice in 2001.  In the previous 20 years, we saw hail 1 time. Is this pattern 
typical for a short period, or are we entering a prolonged pattern?


  Maurice Tougas
  Tougas Family Farm
  Northborough,MA


  On Jun 22, 2007, at 10:08 PM, Karl Townsend wrote:



 
   The grower and I would appreciate hearing from folks who have 
experienced similar situation and what were the eventual effects of the early 
season not-cutting hail dents.

  Thanks, Glen



  Those dents will leave a dead and pithy spot in the apple just under the 
surface. Not number 1 grade.



  I'm sure no two hail storms are exactly the same. In the last 25 years 
we've had early hail three times. I think it pays for farm market orchards to 
go through the trees and hand thin most of the hail marks out. The remaining 
fruit will be larger and higher quality. And its easier to sort bad apples out 
now so you don't have an awful time at harvest. Of course if you've got 70% 
plus damage, save your time - go fishing.



  I feel for you, its a real heartbreak.



  Karl

Re: Apple-Crop: Early season hail damage

[Maurice Tougas]

Glen
In early July 2001 we experienced a pretty good hail storm on our 25  
acres of apples. All fruit had at least dents, many multiple skin  
pierces. Crop insurance adjuster called it 100% loss. We sell all of  
our crop retail, mostly pyo.
It was heartbreaking for the entire season to look at all those  
damaged fruit every day. We spent the next month thinning out as many  
torn fruit as we could. That was a good move. At harvest we explained  
to all customer that the fruit had been "Kissed by Mother Nature". We  
found that most (99% )customers were content, though they did not  
purchase as much fruit as they would have. I felt we had already  
sustained a loss of volume, and an increase in expenses, and so could  
not afford a loss on price, and so we raised our price 15% over the  
last years price. That turned out to be the best decision we made, as  
our dollar sales that year were the best in 20 years. I know it is  
counter intuitive, but the numbers do not lie.Be upfront with your  
customers. They have a stake in your continuing in business. Remind  
them of that!


Last night we saw hail for the second time this season. Last year,  
twice, and twice in 2001.  In the previous 20 years, we saw hail 1  
time. Is this pattern typical for a short period, or are we entering  
a prolonged pattern?


Maurice Tougas
Tougas Family Farm
Northborough,MA

On Jun 22, 2007, at 10:08 PM, Karl Townsend wrote:



 The grower and I would appreciate hearing from folks who have  
experienced similar situation and what were the eventual effects of  
the early season not-cutting hail dents.


Thanks, Glen


Those dents will leave a dead and pithy spot in the apple just  
under the surface. Not number 1 grade.




I'm sure no two hail storms are exactly the same. In the last 25  
years we've had early hail three times. I think it pays for farm  
market orchards to go through the trees and hand thin most of the  
hail marks out. The remaining fruit will be larger and higher  
quality. And its easier to sort bad apples out now so you don't  
have an awful time at harvest. Of course if you've got 70% plus  
damage, save your time - go fishing.




I feel for you, its a real heartbreak.



Karl

RE: Apple-Crop: Early season hail damage

[Nadean Summers]

My home orchard of very young trees (basically not bearing fruit yet) also
got hit by the hail and wind and it looks like someone went through and cut
most of the leaves with scissors
   Jim Friedler
  -Original Message-
  From: apple-crop@virtualorchard.net
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Behalf Of Karl Townsend
  Sent: Friday, June 22, 2007 10:09 PM
  To: Apple-Crop
  Subject: Re: Apple-Crop: Early season hail damage




 The grower and I would appreciate hearing from folks who have
experienced similar situation and what were the eventual effects of the
early season not-cutting hail dents.

Thanks, Glen



Those dents will leave a dead and pithy spot in the apple just under the
surface. Not number 1 grade.



I'm sure no two hail storms are exactly the same. In the last 25 years
we've had early hail three times. I think it pays for farm market orchards
to go through the trees and hand thin most of the hail marks out. The
remaining fruit will be larger and higher quality. And its easier to sort
bad apples out now so you don't have an awful time at harvest. Of course if
you've got 70% plus damage, save your time - go fishing.



I feel for you, its a real heartbreak.



Karl



No virus found in this outgoing message.
Checked by AVG Free Edition.
Version: 7.5.472 / Virus Database: 269.9.6/863 - Release Date: 6/23/2007
11:08 AM

Re: Apple-Crop: Early season hail damage

[edwdollx2]

Glen:  An old saying is that is always darker immediately after a storm..



An apple orchard will appear that way too.  Unfortunately, many times it does 
not get any better.  The number and size of the dings determine the ultimate 
result and if not too bad, there can be considerable recovery value.  One of 
best ploys I know of for pick your own blocks is to let the public know that 
apples were KISSED BY GOD.  Then they will sort out the best when picking.  In 
this area of a frozen-out crop, we could use the cider apples.



Chris Doll, Illinois






-Original Message-
From: Glen Koehler <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: Apple Crop listserve 
Sent: Fri, 22 Jun 2007 4:39 pm
Subject: Apple-Crop: Early season hail damage




A Maine orchard sustained considerable hail damage today.  The hail did not cut 
through the skin, but only slightly dented the fruit.  The fruit are roughly 1 
inch diameter or less.  This happened in another orchard a few years ago and if 
I recall correctly (big if) most of the fruit turned out to saleable in the 
end.  The orchard in question this year is 99% on-farm retail, so blemish 
tolerance is presumably higher than for the wholesale fresh fruit channel. 

 

 The grower and I would appreciate hearing from folks who have experienced 
similar situation and what were the eventual effects of the early season 
not-cutting hail dents. 

Thanks, Glen

 

Glen Koehler
Pest Management Office
491 College Avenue
Orono, ME  04473
Tel:  207-581-3882
Email:  [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Web:  PRONewEngland.org
Fax:  207-581-3881

TDD 1-800-287-8957

 

What we call the secret of happiness is no more a secret than our willingness 
to choose life. - Leo Buscaglia

 




AOL now offers free email to everyone.  Find out more about what's free from 
AOL at AOL.com.

Re: Apple-Crop: Early season hail damage

[Karl Townsend]

 
   The grower and I would appreciate hearing from folks who have experienced 
similar situation and what were the eventual effects of the early season 
not-cutting hail dents. 

  Thanks, Glen



  Those dents will leave a dead and pithy spot in the apple just under the 
surface. Not number 1 grade.



  I'm sure no two hail storms are exactly the same. In the last 25 years we've 
had early hail three times. I think it pays for farm market orchards to go 
through the trees and hand thin most of the hail marks out. The remaining fruit 
will be larger and higher quality. And its easier to sort bad apples out now so 
you don't have an awful time at harvest. Of course if you've got 70% plus 
damage, save your time - go fishing.



  I feel for you, its a real heartbreak.



  Karl

Apple-Crop: Early season hail damage

[Glen Koehler]

A Maine orchard sustained considerable hail damage today.  The hail did
not cut through the skin, but only slightly dented the fruit.  The fruit
are roughly 1 inch diameter or less.  This happened in another orchard a
few years ago and if I recall correctly (big if) most of the fruit
turned out to saleable in the end.  The orchard in question this year is
99% on-farm retail, so blemish tolerance is presumably higher than for
the wholesale fresh fruit channel. 

 

 The grower and I would appreciate hearing from folks who have
experienced similar situation and what were the eventual effects of the
early season not-cutting hail dents. 

Thanks, Glen

 

Glen Koehler
Pest Management Office
491 College Avenue
Orono, ME  04473
Tel:  207-581-3882
Email:  [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Web:  PRONewEngland.org  
Fax:  207-581-3881

TDD 1-800-287-8957

 

What we call the secret of happiness is no more a secret than our
willingness to choose life. - Leo Buscaglia