This year’s Bing cherry crop in the Mid-Columbia has been hurt by both freeze damage to trees in November and the hot temperatures of last week.  Oregon State University Extension Agent Lynn Long told Wasco County Commissioners that the heat arrived just as the Bings, which is the predominant cherry variety in the region, were ripening.  He says that stressed the fruit, reducing fruit size.  But Long points out later varieties being picked now are sizing well and were not impacted by the heat, so he’s hopeful the overall crop will be of very good quality.  Long noted early varieties were of excellent quality, even though crop size will be down by about 50 percent this year.  Kevin McIntyre of the Farm Service Agency said Wasco County has received a federal disaster declaration for drought, which will make all farm producers eligible to receive relief, while an application for a freeze damage declaration has been submitted.