We're now getting a better picture of the damage at area fruit farms caused by the cold snaps that followed the abnormally warm weather in March. And the losses are significant.
At Westgate Farms, owner Dave Wagner said he has never experienced a spring like this. He called the conditions "extreme." He said he has lost perhaps 75-80% of his cherry crop, and perhaps up to two-thirds of his 32 acres of grapes have been damaged.
Nearby, at Burch Farms, the apple blossoms are out, making the orchrd look normal. But up to 50% of the farm's key cash crop was damaged by the series of cold snaps.
Farmers say consumers will pay more. And they will have a hard time turning a profit.
Farmer Tim Burch said, "It has a dramatic negative on it. Production is everything. If we don't have the crops to market, it definitely affects our bottom line."
Farmer Dave Wagner said, "It's below the bottom line. My wife works off the farm to help her husband pay the bills. I will leave it at that."
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