College of Agriculture & Natural Resources

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  Traverse City cherry, apple grower optimistic new climate program will address soil health

  Published on June 19, 2024
  Raul Gomez, operations manager of Wunsch Farms in Traverse City, said changing climate patterns have shown the importance of accurately applying water and nutrients to the soil.

• East Michigan fruit update – April 10, 2018

  Published on April 10, 2018
  Late winter weather continues to hold back development of fruit crops in east Michigan.

• Southwest Michigan fruit regional report – April 2, 2013

  Published on April 2, 2013
  After a cold March, fruit and other perennials are slowly starting growth.

• Michigan brown marmorated stink bug report for July 25, 2014

  Published on July 25, 2014
  One adult brown marmorated stink bug has been captured in a trap next to a peach orchard near Niles, Michigan in Berrien County, but no other detections have been reported.

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  Southwest Michigan fruit update — Aug. 1, 2017

  Published on August 1, 2017
  Spotted wing Drosophila and labor are problems as fruit harvest moves quickly.

• Morrill Act turns 150 years old

  Published on June 12, 2012
  The Morrill Act made possible the creation of the land-grant schools and was signed by President Abraham Lincoln July 2, 1862.

• Southwest Michigan fruit regional report – July 30, 2013

  Published on July 30, 2013
  Cool weather helps small fruit harvest and spotted wing Drosophila numbers continue to rise.

• Michigan spotted wing Drosophila report for Aug. 26, 2016

  Published on August 26, 2016
  High risk of infestation of fruit continues to be expected. Susceptible crops must be protected. This is the final SWD report of 2016.

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  Southwest Michigan fruit update – April 2, 2019

  Published on April 2, 2019
  With warmer weather in March, snow has melted and plant growth has started. Buds are swollen.

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  Southwest Michigan fruit update – April 18, 2023

  Published on April 18, 2023
  Last week’s hot weather pushed all fruit crops along quickly. Next week will be closer to normal but cool weather may be a challenge for pollinating blooming crops.

• Summary report for the Michigan brown marmorated stink bug monitoring network for 2014

  Published on October 13, 2014
  Brown marmorated stink bug trap catches were lower this week, and with the exception of a few hotspots, were not detected in the majority of our trapping sites. Reports of aggregations on commercial and residential buildings continue to come in.

• West Michigan tree fruit regional report – May 24, 2016

  Published on May 24, 2016
  Turn up the heat and watch the fruit grow right before your eyes.

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  Southwest Michigan fruit regional report – May 24, 2016

  Published on May 24, 2016
  A warm, dry week moved everything along quickly. Insect activity increased over the weekend.

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  When using bird deterrents in sweet cherries makes sense

  Published on June 9, 2015
  In early varieties, small blocks and in years when sweet cherry yields are expected to be low, losses by birds are expected to be higher and protecting fruit from birds may make good economic sense.

• East Michigan fruit regional report – June 28, 2016

  Published on June 28, 2016
  Soils are very dry, creating drought stress in tree and small fruits. Strawberry harvest has finished in southern parts of our region, and sweet and tart cherry and summer red raspberry harvest is getting underway.

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  Northwest Michigan fruit update – May 18, 2021

  Published on May 18, 2021
  This warm weather is accelerating crop development; tart cherries are at early petal fall and apples are at 60% bloom at the Northwest Michigan Horticulture Research Center.

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  Southwest Michigan fruit update – July 5, 2023

  Published on July 5, 2023
  Summer fruit harvest is underway.

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  Southwest Michigan fruit update – September 5, 2023

  Published on September 6, 2023
  Peaches and blueberries are winding down and grape growers are getting ready for harvesting.

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  Northwest Michigan fruit regional report – June 30, 2015

  Published on June 30, 2015
  Tart and sweet cherries are beginning to color up, and harvest is expected to start by the second week of July.

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  Black stem borer: An opportunistic pest of young fruit trees under stress

  Published on May 6, 2020
  Young fruit trees under stress can attract black stem borers. Proper identification, orchard sanitation and timing of control measures using ethanol-baited traps will help minimize its spread.