College of Agriculture & Natural Resources

• 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.

• Southeast Michigan fruit regional report – July 28, 2015

  Published on July 28, 2015
  Lodi apple harvest is underway, with early peach and blueberry harvest continuing and summer red raspberry harvest wrapping up.

• Southeast Michigan fruit regional report – July 23, 2013

  Published on July 23, 2013
  Spotted wing Drosophila trap catch in sweet cherries was just confirmed this morning. Harvest is underway in blueberries, plums and apples, and winding down in summer red and black raspberries. Blackberry harvest is quickly approaching.

• Southeast Michigan fruit regional report – May 12, 2015

  Published on May 12, 2015
  Recent rainy, warm weather brought very high fire blight risks for apple and pear growers, and challenges with keeping covered for apple scab control.

• Southeast Michigan apple maturity report – Sept. 6, 2017

  Published on September 6, 2017
  McIntosh and Gala harvest continues with McIntosh maturity ahead of Gala this season. Growers are doing the first light picking of Honeycrisp. Early Fuji are over mature.

• An overview of fungicide pre-mixes for tree fruits

  Published on April 16, 2013
  Many tree fruit fungicide options are a pre-mixture of two fungicides and growers need to be aware of the components to properly rotate these new materials.

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  Are homemade pesticides legal?

  Published on March 6, 2017
  Homemade solutions to crop pests are nothing new, but are they legal?

• The “Apogee effect” – examination of the mode of action of prohexadione calcium in shoot blight cont

  Published on April 26, 2012
  Studies of the mechanism of action of Apogee reveal that this growth inhibition results in the production of a physical barrier (thickened cell walls) to infection by the fire blight pathogen.

• Southeast Michigan fruit regional report – August 19, 2014

  Published on August 19, 2014
  Paula Red apple harvest is complete at most farms, with Earligold and Zestar coming along quickly.

• Michigan apple maturity reports – October 19, 2011

  Published on October 19, 2011
  Each week, MSU Extension educators test apples for maturity in their region and report the status.

• Southeast Michigan fruit regional report – June 9, 2015

  Published on June 9, 2015
  Strawberry harvest begins in southern counties, others to follow later this week. Primary apple scab season continues.