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Drought recovery For orchards, last year’s freeze caused more damage than the drought —Story & photos By Hannah Klare Public Relations Intern After last summer’s weather conditions, this season of fruit production is more in line with long-term climatic averages, according to representatives of two orchards in northern Indiana. The cool spring has caused the strawberry harvest to continue farther into June and delayed the apple bloom 30 days later than last year, the two growers said. Grounded on a rich history of almost 120 years of experience and the accumulative goal of producing high-quality fruit, there are actually two different orchards operating under the name “Doud.” David Doud’s Countyline Orchard, owned and operated by David Doud, is located in Wabash County, while Doud Orchards, owned and operated by Kelly and Becky Shanley, is located in Miami County on SR 19. The 2012 drought brought production and yields down for the majority of farmers in Indiana. However, this was very secondary for the fruit producers, who were instead affected much more by the frost that hit much of the state on April 12 and 13, 2012. Extensive irrigation on those freezing nights helped save the strawberry crop last summer, but Doud said he was not as fortunate when it came to his apple crop. “I have spent my life associated with an orchard, and there have been many years that a crop was greatly reduced by a freeze. This was my first experience with a 100 percent loss from a freeze,” said Doud. Because of this, “The drought had not much of an impact on this farm because there was no crop.” It was also the first time in Doud’s life that he was able to take a vacation in October and have a life that wasn’t run by a harvest. However, he did have to spend a lot of time irrigating to maintain the young trees on the orchard grounds. Many of the trees were able to withstand the conditions due to the fact that he operates a semi-dwarf orchard which has moderate-sized fruit trees. “From my standpoint my orchard didn’t have the stress of a crop when it got dry. They have assimilated carbohydrates and the trees are rested and ready to go,” he said. After a year of no fruit and the fear of an over crop that can diminish the product quality from his 20 acres of trees, Doud said he is pleased with the progress of his orchard so far. The trees have shed excess fruit and he has done what he can to help with growth regulators. Reflecting back and focusing on the freeze and drought recovery, Doud recalled that last year was a trying year from the money standpoint, but, “From the horticulture standpoint, as far as maintaining a mature orchard, that was the easiest year I had ever had.” However,
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David and Valerie Doud, owners and operators of David Doud’s Countyline Orchard in Wabash, Ind., stand in front of one of the oldest apples trees on their property.
Doud said he would never wish to have two of last summer’s weather conditions in a row. Kelly and Becky Shanley bought Doud Orchards in Miami County from Steve Doud, the former owner and brother of David. The Shanleys continue the Douds’ “Delicious traditions since 1894” through agritourism and the fruit they produce. Every year they conduct school tours of the facility and orchard, a corn maze, pumpkin patch, bands on select weekends and a free petting zoo. Items such as honey, peaches, pears, cider, rhubarb, asparagus and over 150 varieties of apples are also sold. “We have the big fall festival, and we’re working on getting a winery and hard cider going,” Kelly said. “We also have two trees that are descendants of what Johnny Appleseed planted. We integrate those into our school tours to give people a little history behind Johnny Chapman.” Unfortunately, the Shanleys weren’t spared by last summer’s freeze and drought. With apples being a large part of the farm’s income
and business, “We were all in the same boat at the same time,” Becky remembered. In order to operate, the Shanleys had to buy apples from about 11 states. They also were forced to inventively water the pumpkin crop so it would germinate for the fall activities. On the positive side, Kelly said he is “thankful it [the freeze] happened when it did because you have a lot less inputs, emotional and financial.” Like David Doud’s Countyline Orchard, the Shanleys weren’t extremely affected by the drought “except for the fact if you’re trying to make your living on fruit and there isn’t any, it’s hard,” said Becky. “But for the plants, it was probably the best it could have been with all the little factors now balanced together.” On the road to recovery, the Shanleys are pleased that they have had an almost perfect season so far this year. Because of the freeze, their plants aren’t stressed from having to produce a fruit in mid-drought last year. Instead of looking for apples from other orchards as they did last year, they are looking for harvesters
to pick the crop in about five weeks. “I’m happy to look out there and see little green apples and fuzzy peaches,” Becky said. “It makes my heart sing. The abundance of the Midwest is absolutely back.”
A plump and luscious strawberry from David Doud’s Countyline Orchard in Wabash, Ind. Kelly and Becky Shanley, the owners and operators of Doud Orchards, pose in front of the orchard sign that sits right off SR 19 in Miami County inviting in all travelers. They are hoping to begin harvesting their 2013 apple crop in approximately five weeks. Photo courtesy of Kelly and Becky Shanley
Farm Bureau kicks off 2013 photo contest —From the AFBF Communications Team The American Farm Bureau Federation, in conjunction with the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture, has announced the 2013 Farm Bureau photo contest. The contest is open to all state and county Farm Bureau members and staff above 18 years of age at the time of entry, including professional photographers. Photo submissions will be used to accurately portray today’s agriculture and safe practices of farmers and ranchers, and also for future publications and promotions by AFBF and related companies. Photo submissions must exemplify safe practices on the farm or ranch. The contest will run May 20
through Oct. 15, and photos may be entered in three categories: Sharing the Story; Working on the Farm or Ranch; and My Scenic Farm or Ranch. Monetary prizes will be awarded to the top three placing photos from each category. First place winners will be awarded $100, second place $75 and third place $50. New to the contest this year, special $200 awards may be given to photographers showcasing animal care, safety or the Farm Bureau Proud initiative in their contest submissions. Judges also will select a “Best in Show” winner for the most dynamic photo entered as well as two-runners up. The Best in Show winner will receive $400, with first runner-up and second runner-up receiving $300 and $250, respectively. “Today’s family farmers and ranch-
ers work hard to provide a variety of food choices that meet consumer demand. They’re also growing more food using fewer resources than ever before,” said AFBF President Stallman. “We look forward to seeing a rich tapestry of submissions from photographers around the country,” he added. Contest winners will be announced Nov. 15 on Farm Bureau’s social media platforms and website, and celebrated at the AFBF Annual Convention in January 2014 in San Antonio. For more information on how to register and to view the contest rules and regulations visit the 2013 Farm Bureau Photo Contest webpage. Questions about the contest may be sent via email to photocontest@ fb.org.
June 24, 2013