College of Agriculture & Natural Resources

• Fire blight risk reduced temporarily

  Published on May 16, 2011
  Current weather conditions have reduced the risk of fire blight infection, but it is still essential to keep shoot blight under control.

• Northwest Michigan tree fruit update – Aug. 24, 2021

  Published on August 24, 2021
  Apples are ripening quickly with the heat and adequate moisture; we anticipate harvest to be seven to10 days ahead of normal.

• Moving toward high density apple systems: Pruning and training demonstration on March 20

  Published on March 7, 2012
  Why growers should be moving towards high density systems, and a hands-on demonstration in northwest Michigan for pruning and training tall spindle systems.

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  Southwest Michigan fruit update – July 11, 2023

  Published on July 11, 2023
  With ripe fruit comes ripe rots and ripe insect pests.

• Northwest Michigan fruit regional report – July 22, 2014

  Published on July 22, 2014
  Sweet cherry harvest is in full swing and growers are applying ethephon in tart cherries. Tart cherry harvest will likely begin over the weekend and into next week. Overall fruit quality is good.

• West Michigan tree fruit update – Sept. 4, 2018

  Published on September 4, 2018
  Heavy rains reduce drought risk and increase disease risk.

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  Southwest Michigan fruit update – Aug. 24, 2021

  Published on August 24, 2021
  Apple harvest is beginning.

• East Michigan apple maturity report – Sept. 25, 2019

  Published on September 25, 2019
  Jonathan and Jonagold are ready for harvest, and a few early strains of Golden Delicious on early sites are ready to be spot picked. Gala harvest has wrapped up at most farms, except those treated with ReTain.

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  Southwest Michigan fruit update – June 21, 2022

  Published on June 21, 2022
  Sweet cherry harvest begins this week. Blueberries and raspberries are beginning to turn color.

• Southeast Michigan fruit regional report – June 16, 2015

  Published on June 16, 2015
  Strawberry harvest is underway across the region; growers are challenged by rain with as many fields are saturated. Primary apple scab season has come an end.

• West Michigan tree fruit update – July 11, 2017

  Published on July 11, 2017
  Changing lures for the next generation of codling moth is recommended.

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  Watch out for variability in apple orchards

  Published on September 12, 2018
  Multiple harvests may be needed to minimize variation in fruit maturity to optimize fruit storage potential.

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  Southwest Michigan fruit update – Aug. 28, 2018

  Published on August 28, 2018
  Peach, apple, pear and plum harvest continues. Blueberry harvest is ending.

• Emerging pest alert: The apple flea weevil

  Published on June 22, 2010
  Over that last several years the apple flea weevil (Orchestes pallicornis) (Photo 1) has become an increasingly common pest in Michigan apple orchards.

• Apple maturity in 2014 is slower than expected

  Published on September 24, 2014
  An unusual weather year is leading to slower than expected apple maturity. Growers need to plan carefully to get the best conditioned fruit into controlled atmosphere storage.

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  Fruit growers need to be aware of significant pesticide label changes

  Published on April 25, 2025
  An ever-increasing number of pesticide labels require applicators to utilize the Bulletins Live! Two system to check for additional use limitations to protect endangered species and their habitat.

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  Grand Rapids area tree fruit update – May 25, 2021

  Published on May 25, 2021
  After a very hot, dry week in the region, much cooler weather and precipitation is expected.

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  West central Michigan apple maturity report – Aug. 21, 2019

  Published on August 21, 2019
  Don’t let the calendar date fool you into premature harvest of early apple varieties. West central Michigan apples are several days behind normal harvest dates this year.

• Southeast Michigan apple maturity report – September 30, 2015

  Published on September 30, 2015
  With another week of good weather for harvesting apples, growers report they are making good progress on picking Jonagold, and some growers are starting Empire and Golden Delicious.

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  Southwest Michigan fruit update – June 29, 2021

  Published on June 29, 2021
  The region saw 3-6 inches of rain in the past week. Soils are saturated.