Despite most farmers praying for rain for most of the year, cherry growers across the region have enjoyed the dry conditions. 

Benalla grower Mark Foletta said the dry conditions had limited the risk of disease.

‘‘The dry conditions have meant disease pressures are relatively low,’’ he said.

‘‘With the dry conditions, they are less prone to brown rot. I use no chemical fungicides so the dry conditions have taken the pressure off.’’

Mr Foletta — who has 1200 trees of varieties such as Royal Dawn, Black Star and Lapin — is expecting to harvest an average of 1.5 to 2tonnes of the fruit most popular at Christmas time.  Read more of this Shepparton Country News article........