College of Agriculture & Natural Resources

• Are small farms exempt from Good Agricultural Practices certification?

  Published on April 25, 2011
  Growers operating small farms may not be required to be GAP certified under the new Food Safety Modernization Act, but retailers, packers and shippers keep demanding proof of GAP certification.

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  Improved degree-day maps on Enviroweather

  Published on April 19, 2017
  New maps provide more accurate and extensive growing degree-day information to users making pest and crop decisions.

• Post-harvest wash water management for shelf life and food safety

  Published on August 8, 2016
  Washing fruits and vegetables properly in a dunk tank or hydrocooler can help extend shelf life and improve food safety. Improper washing increases the risk of a small food safety problem becoming a big one.

• Who is eating the produce that I grow?

  Published on February 3, 2012
  When adopting food safety practices on the farm, it’s important to remember why and for whom it is being done.

• Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Foundation supports young growers to attend conference

  Published on January 29, 2014
  The Northwest Michigan Horticulture Research Foundation and Cherry Republic are helping four young growers from northwest Michigan attend the 2014 International Tree Fruit Association meeting in British Columbia.

• Are the “kids” back on the farm?

  Published on January 18, 2012
  MSU Extension’s IPM Academy on February 20-21 can bring the newest generation of farmers up to speed on pest management in a variety of cropping systems.

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  Northwest Michigan fruit regional report – June 2, 2015

  Published on June 2, 2015
  Growers are assessing sweet cherries, tart cherries and apples for damage from the May 20 frost.

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  Northwest Michigan fruit regional report – June 28, 2016

  Published on June 28, 2016
  Spotted wing Drosophila management is underway in susceptible fruit crops, and sweet cherry harvest will begin early next week.

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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.

• East Michigan fruit regional report – May 10, 2016

  Published on May 10, 2016
  With cooler temperatures over the last week, our season is back to normal for our bloom dates.

• East Michigan fruit regional report – July 26, 2016

  Published on July 26, 2016
  Drought conditions continue across the region. Harvest continues for blueberries and early Japanese plum varieties. Spotted wing Drosophila trap catch numbers are building.

• East Michigan fruit crop report – July 25, 2017

  Published on July 25, 2017
  Spotted wing Drosophila populations are very high for this time of season, and apple maggots are starting to be caught in traps. Hail damage is more common than reported a few weeks ago.

• East Michigan fruit update – July 5, 2017

  Published on July 5, 2017
  Much needed rain came to Lenawee and Monroe counties. Harvest continues for sweet and tart cherries, summer red raspberries and saskatoons. Strawberry harvest continues at a few farms.

• Powdery mildew control in tart cherry orchards

  Published on June 10, 2011
  Powdery mildew cannot be eradicated once it is spotted. Control this disease before you see it by using protectant fungicides such as Pristine, Gem, and a new fungicide called Quintec.

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  West central Michigan small fruit update – June 13, 2017

  Published on June 13, 2017
  Strawberries are in harvest with the first and the second harvest having good fruit quality but prevailing hot and dry weather conditions are cutting short the harvest season.

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  Michigan brown marmorated stink bug update – July 10, 2018

  Published on July 10, 2018
  Watch out for early feeding damage by brown marmorated stink bugs in developing Gala, Honeycrisp and Golden Delicious apples. Nymphs can be found in abundance on non-crop hosts in some areas.

• East Michigan fruit update – June 5, 2018

  Published on June 5, 2018
  Most apple growers have made two thinning applications in the last week with mixed results. Some are looking to make one more application over the next few days. Strawberry harvest will begin late this week or over the weekend.

• 2013 MSU Tree Fruit School to feature Peter Shearer and Kerik Cox, Feb. 13-15

  Published on January 25, 2013
  Hear national experts Shearer and Cox on the impact of spotted wing Drosophila and brown marmorated stink bug, and fungicide resistance and disease management in orchards.

• Michigan spotted wing Drosophila summary report for 2015

  Published on September 29, 2015
  A summary of the spotted wing Drosophila monitoring network reports for the 2015 season.

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  New online Integrated Pest Management course now available

  Published on September 22, 2017
  Learn about integrated pest management and earn pesticide recertification credits with new, on-demand, online course.