College of Agriculture & Natural Resources

• 

  Michigan pesticide applicator recertification credits available in person and online before the end of the year

  Published on October 31, 2022
  Growers needing a few more credits to renew their pesticide applicator license have some online and in-person opportunities available.

• Fall mice and vole control is critical to reduce potential damage in orchards

  Published on November 27, 2013
  Now is the time when mice and voles are moving into fruit orchards.

• 

  Obliquebanded leafroller management in tree fruits

  Published on June 14, 2023
  Obliquebanded leafroller is a threat to apples and cherries. First generation larvae are expected in several weeks in southwest Michigan.

• 

  Farmers growing produce commonly eaten raw will be contacting water testing labs about new rule

  Published on November 7, 2018
  The Food Safety Modernization Act requires quantitative E. coli testing of water used on produce farms. Growers will be looking for local labs.

• East Michigan fruit update – April 7, 2020

  Published on April 7, 2020
  With warmer temperatures over the last week, green tissue is starting to be seen on a few fruit crops. Dry soils have allowed some planting to begin.

• 

  Southwest Michigan fruit update – June 1, 2021

  Published on June 1, 2021
  Last week’s rains were welcomed by the fruit crops, but more is needed to reverse this season’s lack of moisture.

• 

  Southwest Michigan fruit regional report – June 16, 2015

  Published on June 16, 2015
  Wet weather is hampering summer fruit harvest as well as insect and disease control efforts.

• Northwest Michigan apple maturity report – Sept. 9, 2020

  Published on September 9, 2020
  Ginger Gold, SweeTango and Premier Honeycrisp can be found at local markets; apple quality is excellent.

• Avoiding automatic failure of a GAP audit

  Published on March 18, 2011
  New factsheet covers the ways growers can automatically fail an audit and suggests ways of avoiding them

• 

  Michigan brown marmorated stink bug report for September 15, 2015

  Published on September 16, 2015
  Brown marmorated stink bug activity continues to increase in Berrien County; adults and nymphs were found feeding on apples. Damaged peaches by BMSB near Grand Rapids has been reported for the second year in a row.

• 

  Auxins and ABA promote vascular function and reduce bitter pit of Honeycrisp apples

  Published on May 3, 2022
  Michigan State University research demonstrates that auxin and ABA applications can be used to mitigate bitter pit.

• Azinphos-methyl phase-out update

  Published on September 4, 2012
  Distribution of Azinphos-methyl (AZM), also known as Guthion, is prohibited after September 30, 2012, but product use is extended until 2013.

• Northwest Michigan fruit regional report – May 24, 2016

  Published on May 24, 2016
  Apples are in bloom and conditions favor fire blight this week. Growers are also applying plant growth regulators.

• 

  Northwest Michigan fruit update – June 24, 2025

  Published on June 24, 2025
  Isolated hail hit northwest Michigan over the weekend. Growers are actively managing for diseases with warm and wet conditions. Pest numbers are also increasing with this weather.

• Northwest Michigan fruit regional report – May 6, 2014

  Published on May 6, 2014
  Cool and wet weather is slowing spring throughout the Northwest region. Blooming fruit is not predicted in the next week.

• 

  Grand Rapids area apple maturity report – September 21, 2022

  Published on September 21, 2022
  Harvest continues for Honeycrisp, Gala, and McIntosh this week, especially for second and third picks, as well as fruit treated with ReTain or Harvista. Later varieties are beginning to show signs of maturity.

• Predicted 2012 apple harvest dates

  Published on August 28, 2012
  A warm winter and early spring set predicted apple harvest dates between 14 and 30 days ahead of normal.

• Michigan spotted wing Drosophila report for August 12, 2014

  Published on August 13, 2014
  Spotted wing Drosophila numbers continue to rise across the monitoring network. Protect susceptible crops where they are detected.

• 

  Southwest Michigan fruit update – July 28, 2020

  Published on July 28, 2020
  Summer fruit harvest continues. Spotted wing Drosophila numbers are rapidly increasing.

• 

  Northwest Michigan fruit update – July 23, 2019

  Published on July 23, 2019
  Sweet cherry harvest is underway and tart cherry harvest will begin later this week. Spotted wing Drosophila numbers have increased exponentially over the last week.