State of the Harvest – Storm Callum

Cider

15th October 2018

David Sheppy, the 6th generation Master of Cider at Sheppy’s Cider, has overseen nearly 30 harvests since he took over the helm at Sheppy’s Cider. This week we’ve seen the effects of Storm Callum, who has shaken a few trees here at the Sheppy’s orchards...

After an early start on this year's harvest, things have taken a stormy turn! Visitors who come to Sheppy’s House of Cider this week can’t fail to notice a number of fallen apple trees in our standard orchards. Sadly the team have lost a good dozen or so to Storm Callum, who made his mark this weekend by flattening some of our most fruitful trees. Here is what David Sheppy has to say:

“It’s been a perfect storm of conditions... literally. A combination of wet ground, plenty of heavy apple trees, and lots of wind is a recipe for disaster. A lot of our trees are very top-heavy after the summer and some of our more fruitful cider trees are weighed down by nearly a quarter of a ton of fruit."

“In terms of our orchards it’s one of the worst storms we’ve had in a few years because it came so early and while there was still so much fruit on the trees. Some of the trees were only 10 to 15 years old and in their prime.

“But there’s nothing you can do, sadly. As a farmer, I have to work with what nature gives me... whether it’s sunshine or storms! It’s part of the Sheppy’s Cider ethos that we work with what nature gives us and part of the joys of being a farmer is that we take the rough with the smooth, and this storm was quite a rough one!

“However, it’s by no means a disaster. We still have plenty of other trees within our 90 acres that have stood firm in the storm and we will continue to collect and carry on as normal. Nearly all of our Dabinett apples have fallen, despite the fact they’re a later falling fruit. We’ll just have to get out and plant a few replacements at some point... it’s definitely a busy harvest, that’s for sure!”