College of Agriculture & Natural Resources

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  Northwest Michigan fruit update – April 21, 2020

  Published on April 21, 2020
  Crop development has been slow, cold weather will persist, and no bud damage has been detected at this time.

• West Michigan tree fruit update – May 30, 2017

  Published on May 30, 2017
  Cooler than normal weather has slowed many insects.

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  Fall means farm equipment on roads

  Published on September 18, 2025
  Tips for motorists and farmers sharing the road safely.

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  Cool, fall nights challenge fruit storability

  Published on September 30, 2020
  The cool, clear nights of Sept. 18 and 19, 2020, could result in chilling injury to Honeycrisp apples.

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  Scab-immune apple varieties are worth a try

  Published on January 31, 2022
  Managing apple scab with fungicides and resistant apple varieties.

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  Grand Rapids area apple maturity report – Oct. 2, 2019

  Published on October 2, 2019
  First harvest of early blocks of Honeycrisp and Gala will begin soon.

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  Southwest Michigan fruit update – August 22, 2023

  Published on August 22, 2023
  A heat advisory is in effect for parts of this week, but cool weather returns by the weekend.

• Michigan apple harvest prediction dates for 2025

  Published on August 6, 2025
  Michigan State University Extension apple team releases predicted harvest dates for five production areas in Michigan.

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  West central Michigan tree fruit update – April 23, 2024

  Published on April 23, 2024
  With a mix of warm and cool conditions, tree phenology has advanced slowly. Peaches are in bloom and sweet cherry bloom has begun in the region.

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  Guidance for farmers on pandemic preparedness plans and the CHAMP tool

  Published on September 18, 2020
  Find answers to common questions about operational requirements specified by Michigan Executive Orders.

• Use Precision Cropload Management tools to target apple crop load

  Published on April 21, 2015
  Try these tools to take the worry out of apple thinning.

• West Michigan tree fruit regional report – April 15, 2014

  Published on April 15, 2014
  Despite summer-like storms, tree fruit development continues to be delayed in the West Michigan region.

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  Manipulating insect behavior to improve pest management in orchards

  Published on May 8, 2018
  New innovations in pest management can be leveraged in tree fruit orchards to manipulate insect behavior and reduce pesticide use.

• Northwest Michigan fruit update - July 10, 2018

  Published on July 10, 2018
  Sweet cherry harvest is beginning in northwest Michigan, and tart cherries are ripening quickly with the continued heat.

• Michigan apple harvest reports – September 19, 2012

  Published on September 19, 2012
  The effects of the warmest year on record on Michigan apple maturity.

• Selecting and storing scion wood for grafting

  Published on April 11, 2014
  This is the time of year to begin collecting scion wood if you are thinking you may need to perform some grafting this late winter or early spring.

• East Michigan fruit regional report – April 16, 2013

  Published on April 16, 2013
  Spring seems to be in a long holding pattern for east Michigan fruit growers.

• East Michigan fruit update – May 9, 2017

  Published on May 9, 2017
  Frosty conditions for the last four mornings have concerned some fruit growers. Cold temperatures over the last week have dramatically slowed growth of fruit crops as well as insect development.

• MSU Extension’s Breakfast on the Farm program expands to new commodities

  Published on April 27, 2012
  Since 2009, MSU Extension has sponsored 13 Breakfast on the Farm events and all farms have been either dairy or beef operations. This year, visitors will also have the opportunity to learn how apples and potatoes are produced.

• Integrated pest management webinars now available on demand

  Published on November 1, 2013
  MSU Extension is now offering Integrated Pest Management Academy Online, a series of online prerecorded webinars. Commercial and private core pesticide recertification credits are available for Michigan applicators.