Michigan hop crop report week of June 1, 2023

Hop growers are irrigating and actively managing growth across Michigan.

Weekly weather review

It’s been hot and dry, but more reasonable temperatures are on the horizon.

Decorative image

Temperature range graphs
Source: National Weather Service. https://www.weather.gov/
GDD maps
Michigan accumulated growing degree day summary (Base 50 F) March 1-May 31, 2023 (left) compared to the 1991-2020 average (right). Data source: https://enviroweather.msu.edu/
Graphs
Insert pic- accumulated precip (prcp-90days, prcp-30 days, prcp-7 days)

Graphs

As a result of our recent warm and dry weather, parts of central and southern Michigan are abnormally dry and on the verge of a moderate drought.

Maps of Michigan

Looking ahead

It will be mostly fair, warm and dry through this weekend. High temperatures will be in the upper 80s-low 90s through Saturday, June 3, but cooler near the lakeshore. Low temperatures will be in the 50s-60s. There will be high water demand for the next several days with abnormally high potential evapotranspiration (PET) rates. We will have somewhat cooler temperatures by the middle of the week with highs falling back to the 70-80s and lows into the 50s.

NOAA 6-10 day forecasts
NOAA 6-10 day forecasts. Source: https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/610day/index.php

View the most recent MSU agriculture weather forecast.

Stage of production/physiology

Hops across Michigan are in Principal Growth Stage 1: Leaf Development (from regrowth after burn back) and entering Growth Stage 2: Formation of Side Shoots and 3: Elongation of Bines depending upon growing location.View the most recent MSU agriculture weather forecast.

Phenological growth stages of hop in Michigan.
Phenological growth stages of hop in Michigan.
Phenological growth stages full page.png
Phenological growth stages of hop. Source: Rossbauer et. al, 1995 Phänologische Entwicklungsstadien von KulturHopfen (Humulus lupulus L.) Nachrichtenblatt des Deutschen Planzenschutzdienstes 47 249 253 Meier, U. Growth stages of mono- and dicotyledonous plants, BBCH Monograph, 2001, Federal Biological Research Centre for Agriculture and Forestry.

In the field

Timing of hop management activities in northwest MI-2023.jpg
Timing of hop management activities in Michigan. Photo by Rob Sirrine and Erin Lizotte, MSU Extension.

Despite limited precipitation, the hop season is off to a great start across Michigan. Plants are nearing 6-10 feet in southern Michigan and 2-4 feet in more northern Michigan hop growing regions. Growers have trained bines and are actively watering. Hop producers are also managing growth through application of fertilizer on slower growing cultivars and even holding back nitrogen on aggressive cultivars like Michigan Chinook.

For pest information, see the June 1 Hop Pest Report

Sincere thanks to the Michigan hop producers who provided timely input for the Michigan hop crop report.

Stay connected!

For more information on hop production practices, please sign up for the MSU Extension Hop & Barley Production Newsletter, the free MSU Hop Chat Series and continue to visit Michigan State University Extension’s Hops website or the MSU Hops News Facebook.

Become a licensed pesticide applicator

All growers utilizing pesticide can benefit from getting their license, even if not legally required. Understanding pesticides and the associated regulations can help growers protect themselves, others and the environment. Michigan pesticide applicator licenses are administered by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. You can read all about the process by visiting the Pesticide FAQ webpage. Michigan State University offers a number of resources to assist people pursuing their license, including an online study/continuing educational course and study manuals.

This work is supported by the Crop Protection and Pest Management Program [grant no 2021- 70006-35450] from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture and the North Central IPM Center. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Did you find this article useful?