WA Wine | WAVEx Webinar | Preparing for Drought: Does it Make Sense to Drop Fruit | January 21, 2026
Dr. Charles Obiero, Washington State University post-doctoral researcher, conducted research on the timing of drought with Dr. Markus Keller, WSU professor of viticulture. This webinar shared insights on the effects of a common grower practice, fruit thinning, in response to drought. Charles discussed the results of the three-year study in terms of fruit thinning, cold hardiness, carryover effects to the following season, and whether it makes economic sense to drop fruit under extreme drought.