By Clint Thompson
North Carolina peach farmers are experiencing a bumper crop this year; the best crop in recent memory, according to one producer.
“It’s the best crop I’ve seen, and I’m 44-years-old. It’s an outstanding crop for North Carolina,” said Brad Thompson, president of the North Carolina Peach Growers’ Society.
The reason for such optimism is simple; there was no frost or late freeze damage to kill off any susceptible fruit. The absence of the No. 1 threat to North Carolina peach production allowed the state’s crop to produce to its fullest potential.
“Varieties that are really early didn’t get hurt. We’ve got varieties now all the way until September. Usually, we have a lull at some point where something got killed to a late freeze. We don’t have that this year, and it’s across the state, not just in this area; growers in the east, west and in the mountains. All have full crops which is very unique,” Thompson said.
Field Day
North Carolina peaches were under the spotlight on Tuesday as part of a field day held at the Sandhills Research Station in Jackson Springs, North Carolina. Research pertaining to thinning peaches, variety and rootstock evaluations and peach pathology was discussed during the afternoon event.
“We definitely want to grow the industry. This field day is one way we can do that,” Thompson said. “It brings out a crowd of people that are interested in growing peaches as well as growers that are already growing peaches, where they can see this new research and get an idea of what it takes to grow a peach in North Carolina. It’s a great way to advertise peach production to new and currently growing growers.”