College of Agriculture & Natural Resources

• East Michigan fruit update – June 11, 2019

  Published on June 11, 2019
  Strawberry harvest is expected to begin late this week or over the weekend for many farms, one of the latest harvest starts for many. Apple growers need to lookout for fire blight strikes.

• Food Safety Modernization Act exempt farms still have work to do

  Published on January 19, 2016
  Farms exempt from the FDA’s Food Safety Modernization Act produce rule still have to keep records to prove exemption and identify yourself at points of sale.

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  Southwest Michigan fruit update – April 9, 2019

  Published on April 9, 2019
  With warmer weather in April, plant growth has started and buds are swollen.

• East Michigan fruit update – July 23, 2019

  Published on July 23, 2019
  Spotted wing Drosophila trap catch numbers have taken a big jump this week. Tart cherries, summer red and fall raspberries and blueberries need to be protected.

• East Michigan fruit update – April 23, 2019

  Published on April 23, 2019
  Warm temperatures over the last week have finally spurred on growth of fruit crops, as well as a few insects and our first disease control in most tree fruits.

• Southeast Michigan fruit regional report – June 16, 2015

  Published on June 16, 2015
  Strawberry harvest is underway across the region; growers are challenged by rain with as many fields are saturated. Primary apple scab season has come an end.

• Northwest Michigan fruit regional report – May 10, 2016

  Published on May 10, 2016
  Sweet cherries are blooming across the region, and honey bee hives have been strong and active for pollination so far.

• Northwest Michigan fruit regional report – June 23, 2015

  Published on June 23, 2015
  Fruit is sizing across the region. Warmer, drier weather is welcomed after long, ongoing wetting events.

• Apples are being harvested later than predicted for 2011

  Published on August 23, 2011
  Apples are maturing slower than we predicted. Several factors may be the cause.

• Northwest Michigan fruit regional report – July 19, 2016

  Published on July 19, 2016
  Growers have been challenged with an overlap of sweet and tart cherry harvest this season.

• Northwest Michigan fruit regional report – July 9, 2013

  Published on July 9, 2013
  As sweet cherry harvest starts off, rain moved into the region after three weeks of droughty conditions.

• Specialty crop and minor-use pesticide prioritization set for 2017 by IR-4

  Published on October 4, 2016
  Participants at the 2016 IR-4 Food Use and Biopesticide Workshop identified the most important research projects for the 2017 IR-4 food-use research program.

• New label for Kasumin is slightly different than the Section 18 label

  Published on May 6, 2015
  Kasumin 2L is fully registered on pome fruit for fire blight control. It provides excellent blossom blight control and is critically needed, especially in orchards impacted by streptomycin resistance.

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  How to get Michigan Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification

  Published on August 24, 2017
  Review this guide for important requirements, helpful manuals and test information needed to qualify for Michigan Commercial Pesticide Applicator Certification.

• Fire blight risk increasing this week: treatment options in east Michigan and Benzie-Manistee area

  Published on May 14, 2013
  The risk for blossom blight infection is extreme this week as of May 14, 2013. Streptomycin is the best material available for control in orchards in regions in counties not currently impacted by streptomycin resistance.

• Finer points of cleaning and sanitizing fruit and vegetable contact surfaces

  Published on April 10, 2018
  The Food Safety Modernization Act Produce Safety Rule requires cleaning and sanitizing harvest containers. Learn how to clean and sanitize, and when it is required under the Produce Safety Rule.

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  Northwest Michigan apple maturity report – Sept. 12, 2018

  Published on September 12, 2018
  Maturity is moving along quickly and starch index readings have jumped in the past week. Color has also improved with the cooler temperatures.

• West central Michigan apple maturity report – Sept. 5, 2018

  Published on September 5, 2018
  Updates on maturity status for commercial varieties in west central Michigan.

• 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.

• Southeast Michigan apple maturity report – September 23, 2015

  Published on September 23, 2015
  Another picking of Honeycrisp is taking place and growers are finishing up harvest of the later maturing McIntosh strains. A few Jonagold and Jonathan blocks are being harvested, and a few growers are spot picking Golden Delicious.