College of Agriculture & Natural Resources

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  Michigan spotted wing Drosophila report for July 18, 2017

  Published on July 18, 2017
  Trap catches are sharply up in southwest, southeast, Fruit Ridge and west central Michigan. Ripe and ripening fruit in susceptible crops should be protected.

• West Michigan tree fruit regional report – June 24, 2014

  Published on June 24, 2014
  Codling moth cover sprays need to be re-applied with heavy rainfall.

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  Southwest Michigan fruit update — Sept. 5, 2017

  Published on September 5, 2017
  Gala apple harvest continues. Grape harvest has begun. Growers need to be mindful of late season pests, which appear just before harvest.

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  Southeast Michigan fruit update – June 10, 2025

  Published on June 10, 2025
  Strawberry harvest begins.

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  Southeast Michigan fruit update – August 26, 2025

  Published on August 26, 2025
  Wine grape harvest begins.

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  Harnessing the power of cover crops in fruit systems

  Published on June 21, 2024
  When people think cover crops, they don’t usually picture orchards or berry fields. But cover crops can have potential benefits in nearly all cropping systems.

• Northwest Michigan fruit update – April 16, 2019

  Published on April 16, 2019
  A slow start to spring and mild, wet weather ahead.

• West central Michigan tree fruit update – June 19, 2018

  Published on June 19, 2018
  Updates on tree fruit development stages, diseases and pests in west central Michigan.

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  East Michigan fruit update – June 4, 2019

  Published on June 4, 2019
  Strong thunderstorms on Saturday afternoon brought scattered hail across the region, along with another batch of heavy rains. Early thinning sprays in apples are working well.

• Livestock may not mix with fruit and vegetable production

  Published on March 1, 2012
  Livestock in close proximity to produce-growing areas can pose a problem for growers seeking food safety certification. With proper mitigation strategies, the two can coexist. Without these strategies, passing an audit may be difficult.

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  West central Michigan tree fruit update – April 16, 2024

  Published on April 16, 2024
  Warm weather has rapidly advanced bud development this week. Peaches are beginning to bloom in the region.

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  Southwest Michigan fruit update – March 26, 2024

  Published on March 26, 2024
  This is the first fruit scouting report of the 2024 season.

• Moist, weed-free soil retains more heat

  Published on March 13, 2012
  Modifying the soil to capture and retain more heat is a way growers can reduce spring freeze injury. Weed-free soil retains more heat than freshly cultivated or unmowed sites and a few degrees may make a difference this spring.

• East Michigan fruit update – Aug. 21, 2018

  Published on August 21, 2018
  Harvest of early fall apple varieties continues. The entire region has had extremely variable rainfall, with drought continuing for a good number of growers.

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  Southwest Michigan fruit regional report – June 28, 2016

  Published on June 28, 2016
  The summer fruit season is off to a great start. Berry and cherry harvests are underway.

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  Southwest Michigan fruit update — May 22, 2018

  Published on May 22, 2018
  The wet May continues. Rain and cooler weather will be replaced with summer-like weather this week.

• Grand Rapids area tree fruit update – July 9, 2019

  Published on July 9, 2019
  Hot and humid weather brings on the diseases and insects.

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  Southwest Michigan fruit update – March 31, 2020

  Published on March 31, 2020
  Buds are swelling for many fruit crops in southwest Michigan.

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  Two new Enviro-weather stations added in Allegan and Haslett

  Published on April 28, 2015
  New and replacement MSU Enviro-weather stations brings station total to 75 within Michigan.

• Managing orchard nutrition during an early spring

  Published on March 22, 2012
  Wise use of ground-applied fertilizers can help manage orchard nutrition during the 2012 early spring weather conditions.