News

Southwest Michigan fruit update – April 5, 2022

Published on April 5, 2022
Most crops have continued development despite last week’s cool weather.
Southwest Michigan fruit update – March 29, 2022

Published on March 29, 2022
This is the first update for the season. All fruit crops made it through the winter in good shape. Buds are swelling on early tree fruit.
Opportunities for mechanization and precision viticulture in Michigan wine and juice grape vineyards

Published on March 6, 2022
A brief overview of some technologies used in precision viticulture, such as remote and proximal sensing, and new opportunities driven by agricultural robots available for vineyard mechanization.
Grape winter bud hardiness: January 2022 mid-winter research update

Published on January 24, 2022
Southwest Michigan winter weather has been mild. Grape buds appear to be doing well.
Southwest Michigan fruit update – 2021 review

Published on January 12, 2022
Repeated freezes in May damaged many crops. A dry summer kept disease pressure down in most fruits. Crop quality and volumes were generally good for early season crops, but a warm and wet October caused quality issues for some late crops.
Michigan grape scouting report – Sept. 29, 2021

Published on September 29, 2021
This is the last scouting report for the season.
Michigan grape scouting report – Sept. 22, 2021

Published on September 22, 2021
Niagara juice grape harvest is underway in southwest Michigan.
Free texting service helps growers teach workers about produce safety

Published on September 16, 2021
To help growers and supervisors overcome produce safety challenges, MSU Extension has created a free farm worker-focused, on-farm produce safety texting service.
Michigan grape scouting report – Sept. 15, 2021

Published on September 16, 2021
Sugar levels are increasing in wine and juice grapes, but acid levels are still high.
Michigan grape scouting report – Sept. 8, 2021

Published on September 8, 2021
Grape berry moth numbers are increasing. Damage is becoming more common.