By Joyce Kryszak
Buffalo, NY – A glorious early spring had disastrous results for many grape growers in Erie, Chautuaqua and Cattaraugus counties. A flash frost in late April killed the chance of an abundant grape harvest this year. Now, the governor is appealing for federal agricultural disaster relief.
For most people, it's hard to imagine a disaster area when looking at rows of healthy vines growing under the warm, sunny skies that we've had this spring. But that wonderful weather came a bit too soon. Tender primary grape buds peaked out before the threat of frost was past. In late April, 22 degree temperatures severely damaged the buds that account for most of the season's yield. William Merritt is owner of Merritt Estates Winery in Forestville. He says growers still have the same work and expense -- regardless the size of the harvest.
"Just imagine growing a garden and not being able to pick anything from it," Merritt said. "That's essentially where a grape farmer is if they lost a portion of their crop. You still have to feed it and protect it from insects and disease. But there's not a crop there to harvest."
He says some growers fear they may have lost up to sixty percent of their crop. But Merritt says he was fortunate. His inland property was protected from the frost patterns that swept through the state's three largest grape producing counties. Combined, the counties produce more than half the state's grape crop. Jessica Chittenden is spokesperson for the state Department of Agriculture. She says there is reason for concern.
"Our grape crop is very important to use, from a wine and grape juice perspective," Chittenden said. "We do feel the pain of these farmers. We're looking to get any kind of assistance we can for them."
If designated as disaster areas, farmers in the three counties could apply for low interest loans to help tie them over until next year, when there will hopefully be a better harvest. But this will already be the second poor crop year for grapes in New York. And growers say that makes it even harder to stay competitive with other grape markets around the world.