College of Agriculture & Natural Resources

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  Boosting cold tolerance in fruit crops

  Published on July 1, 2020
  MSU scientist Guo-Qing Song is working to uncover the molecular basis for cold tolerance in a multitude of agriculturally relevant fruit crops.

• 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.

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  Grand Rapids area apple maturity report – Oct. 13, 2021

  Published on October 13, 2021
  This is the 10th and final apple maturity report for the Grand Rapids, Michigan, region.

• Northwest Michigan apple maturity report – September 14, 2016

  Published on September 14, 2016
  Gingergold harvest is underway in northwest Michigan. Later varieties are coloring up with nighttime temperatures starting to drop compared with earlier nighttime temperatures in September.

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  Farm manager named at MSU West Central Michigan Research and Extension Center in Hart

  Published on March 22, 2023
  Ashley Fleser has been named the first full-time farm manager at the station, tasked with providing an optimal research environment, building community relationships, and enhancing grower education.

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  Southwest Michigan fruit regional report – July 8, 2014

  Published on July 8, 2014
  Tart cherry and blueberry harvest is underway in southwest Michigan.

• Brown marmorated stink bug in Michigan fall 2013 update

  Published on September 11, 2013
  Captures of an invasive pest, the brown marmorated stink bug, increase in Michigan.

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  Bulletins Live! Two Tracker Report available now

  Published on November 30, 2025
  To raise awareness of pesticides currently impacted by the new EPA Bulletins Live! Two pesticide label directive, Michigan State University Extension will be generating a Bulletins Live! Two Tracker Report twice a month.

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  Northwest Michigan apple maturity report – October 2, 2024

  Published on October 2, 2024
  Growers are harvesting most varieties, although it is one to two weeks earlier than normal years. Growers are waiting on size, brix and starch conversion for later season varieties, such as IdaReds, Evercrisp and Fujis.

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  Northwest Michigan fruit update – May 28, 2019

  Published on May 28, 2019
  We gained growing degree days in warmer conditions over the weekend, but averages are still well behind normal. Tart cherry bloom is underway and apple blossoms are opening.

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  Help shape the future of weed management in Michigan specialty crops

  Published on September 16, 2025
  Share your priorities and challenges by completing MSU’s 2025 Specialty Crop Weed Management Survey.

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  Northwest Michigan fruit update – Aug. 13, 2019

  Published on August 13, 2019
  Tart cherry harvest is winding down and apple pest activity has picked up.

• Michigan brown marmorated stink bug report for September 12, 2014

  Published on September 15, 2014
  More nymph and adult brown marmorated stink bugs were caught during the week of Sept. 5-11, 2014, at seven sites in Berrien, Lenawee and Ingham counties. Homeowners in Berrien County are starting to report them in greater number.

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  Southwest Michigan fruit update – May 5, 2020

  Published on May 5, 2020
  A warm weekend moved tree fruit quickly along. Cherries, peaches, pears and plums are blooming.

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  How did Rome apples respond to Promalin after the 2017 spring frost?

  Published on February 2, 2018
  Results of a common post-freeze practice on commercial Rome apples in 2017.

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  Southwest Michigan fruit regional report – September 8, 2015

  Published on September 8, 2015
  Apple harvest is starting to take off with Gala and Honeycrisp harvest underway.

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  Southwest Michigan fruit update — July 5, 2017

  Published on July 5, 2017
  Tart cherry harvest has begun. Spotted wing Drosophila numbers are up and birds are a problem.

• Apple trees respond to warm weather

  Published on May 13, 2014
  It’s amazing what five days of warm weather can do. Check out these pictures of apple tree growth occurring over a span of just five days.

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  Grand Rapids area tree fruit update – April 6, 2021

  Published on April 6, 2021
  A continuation of warmer than normal temperatures and bud development brings disease and insect potential.

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  Pesticide course offered for private and commercial pesticide applicators

  Published on November 17, 2020
  New online course for restricted use pesticide applicators offering 12 credits.