Apple farmers in N.S. doing fine despite a challenging season
CTV
It’s been a trying year for farmers in Nova Scotia, with record cold, dry weather and an abundance of rain taking a toll on the harvest, but apples seem to be doing just fine.
It’s been a trying year for farmers in Nova Scotia, with record cold, dry weather and an abundance of rain taking a toll on the harvest, but apples seem to be doing just fine.
Most of the varieties on Stephen Van Meekeran’s 125 acre farm in Kentville, N.S., are thriving.
“This year‘s crop looks very good,” says the apple grower.
Despite facing many challenges, the harvest has begun. Van Meekersn says it’s been a tense year with tough weather and Hurricane Lee causing some extra stress.
“As a grower, we were very concerned with the winds that were forecasted this close to harvest,” Van Meekeran says.
Fruit loss however was minimal, he sits at about 10 per cent. The storm, however, did help in one area.
“This year we’ve got a good amount of labor. I think maybe that’s what Hurricane Lee did help us with a bit because some of the highbush blueberries were damaged and they were nearing the end of the harvest I think,” says Van Meekeran.
