College of Agriculture & Natural Resources

• 

  Cherry leaf spot: Balancing the need to prevent early infections with bee safety

  Published on April 29, 2014
  Recommendations to balance a successful, early-season cherry leaf spot control and be mindful of honey bee colonies.

• East Michigan fruit regional report – July 22, 2016

  Published on July 22, 2016
  Spotted wing Drosophila trap catch and apple maggot numbers took a big jump this week. A few tenths of an inch of precipitation came to some fruit farms Thursday afternoon, while most others received none. Our drought continues across the region.

• 

  Netting in high-density sweet cherries reduces bird damage and spotted wing drosophila

  Published on February 20, 2025
  Over a two-year study, bird damage and SWD were reduced under nets. Netting may serve as an effective way to protect crops and reduce reliance on pesticides.

• 

  Grand Rapids area tree fruit update – June 2, 2020

  Published on June 2, 2020
  Warm weather brought fast development of trees and insects.

• Fall foliar nitrogen applications should be applied now in cherries

  Published on September 19, 2012
  Stressed sweet and tart cherry trees would benefit from fall foliar nitrogen applications.

• Be smart when farming near underground pipelines and utilities

  Published on March 16, 2018
  Spring means deep tillage, trenching, posthole digging, tile-laying, building and other earth-moving activities on the farm. Be aware of pipeline and utility safety issues and call 811 when needed.

• Northwest Michigan fruit regional report – May 14, 2013

  Published on May 14, 2013
  The Mother’s Day cold temperatures had marginal impact on northwest Michigan fruit.

• Spotted wing Drosophila monitoring report survey

  Published on October 2, 2013
  Michigan State University Extension is requesting fruit growers take the online spotted wing Drosophila survey to let us know if our statewide monitoring efforts were helpful this 2013 season.

• 

  What are my options when renewing my pesticide certification?

  Published on April 15, 2021
  Pesticide applicators can now take their certification exam remotely.

• 

  Southwest Michigan fruit update — July 5, 2017

  Published on July 5, 2017
  Tart cherry harvest has begun. Spotted wing Drosophila numbers are up and birds are a problem.

• 

  Grand Rapids area tree fruit update - April 23, 2024

  Published on April 23, 2024
  Bloom is coming in the Grand Rapids region.

• 

  All hands needed to protect wild bee pollinators

  Published on April 8, 2021
  New research expands understanding that collaboration among farmers, consumers, policymakers and researchers is needed to support pollination by wild bees and honey bees across agricultural landscapes.

• 

  Pollinator supportive trees and shrubs for farm and orchard windbreaks

  Published on April 8, 2022
  Fruit growers can support bee health and other wildlife by thoughtfully selecting woody plants for their windbreaks.

• 

  Southwest Michigan fruit update – Aug. 28, 2018

  Published on August 28, 2018
  Peach, apple, pear and plum harvest continues. Blueberry harvest is ending.

• Grand Rapids area tree fruit update – June 11, 2024

  Published on June 11, 2024
  Settling into summer on the Ridge.

• Current status of sterol inhibitor fungicides for control of American brown rot in Michigan

  Published on June 22, 2011
  Recent studies show that Michigan populations of American brown rot still remain sensitive to sterol inhibitors.

• 

  Southwest Michigan fruit update – June 20, 2023

  Published on June 20, 2023
  Sweet cherry harvest is beginning. Tart cherries are also turning red. Tart harvest predictions are for a couple days ahead of the long-term average.

• Michigan spotted wing Drosophila update – July 5, 2019

  Published on July 8, 2019
  With warmer weather, more spotted wing Drosophila were trapped this week; protect susceptible crops.

• Why Intrepid has use restrictions and advice for complying

  Published on May 29, 2013
  In some Michigan counties, growers need to know what wild plants grow in their area in order to use Intrepid insecticide.

• Northwest Michigan fruit regional report – Aug. 27, 2013

  Published on August 27, 2013
  Things are quiet across the north now that cherry harvest has finished, growers are waiting to start apple and grape harvest.