Justine Vanden Heuvel is a an assistant professor in the Department of Horticulture in Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and a former cranberry specialist at the University of Massachusetts Cranberry Station in East Wareham, Mass. She comments on the challenges and triumphs of the 2012 cranberry season, and what consumers can expect from the beloved holiday side dish, this year and in the future
Vanden Heuvel says:
“It’s been a challenging year for cranberries, mostly due to the early season and the problems protecting against frost. The buds pushed crazily early and then growers had to protect against colder temperatures than usual, which were challenging because the nights were windy so that the ice evaporated from the buds rather than melted, which cools the bud about seven times faster.
“On the upside, due to the long growing season on the bogs, which were able to successfully protect against frost and cold temperatures, fruit color was really good this year. Massachusetts, and the entire U.S., had the third-largest crop ever, likely due to re-planting of older bogs with newer, higher-yielding hybrids. The highest crop ever was 2008, second highest was 2011. National forecast this year was for 7.6 million barrels – one barrel equals about 100 pounds – so lots of really nicely colored fruit available, with a great supply being established for future years.”
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