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Understanding Idaho's Dairy Industry

Idaho dairy farmers produce more milk and cheese than almost any state in the nation. Idaho is ranked third behind California and Wisconsin.

Northwest Cherry Crop Could Set New Early Record This Year

NWNews | By Anna King,

Anna King

Published March 17, 2015 at 4:43 PM MDT

The region's recent stretch of warm weather means Northwest sweet cherries will likely be going early to market this year.

Don Olmstead Jr. and his son, Don Olmstead III, farm together in Grandview, Washington. Don Jr. said this is probably the earliest he’s seen his cherry blossoms peeking out from beneath their green-bud hoodies.

But there is one problem with this very early emergence. Over the next few months, the blossoms could get frosted at night. That means the Olmsteads will likely be sleepless for weeks.

They’ll fight the cold with water mists and large fans.

Copyright 2021 Northwest News Network. To see more, visit Northwest News Network.

Don Olmstead Jr. splits open a cherry blossom flower to reveal the beginnings of a Northwest sweet cherry.

Don Olmstead Jr. and his son Don Olmstead III farm cherries together.

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Northwest News Network Agriculture Economy Weather

Anna King

Anna King calls Richland, Washington home and loves unearthing great stories about people in the Northwest. She reports for the Northwest News Network from a studio at Washington State University, Triââ

See stories by Anna King

Anna King

Anna King calls Richland, Washington home and loves unearthing great stories about people in the Northwest. She reports for the Northwest News Network from a studio at Washington State University, Tri-Cities. She covers the Mid-Columbia region, from nuclear reactors to Mexican rodeos.

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