Established 1979
This 137-acre center sits in the five-county northwestern region that produces almost half of the U.S. supply of tart cherries and is responsible for 83 percent of sweet cherry production in Michigan. Founded through the efforts of the northwestern Michigan area fruit industry, the center is the premier research site for integrated pest management, horticultural production and handling, value-added processing, marketing and farm financial management practices for sweet and tart cherries, wine grapes, apples, plums and hops. In addition to creating and expanding knowledge through leading-edge research on cherries and other fruits, the center disseminates state-of-the-art information to the Michigan fruit industry and the public.
News
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Northwest Michigan fruit update – May 30, 2023
Published on May 30, 2023
As we wrap up a historically dry month with little to no precipitation forecasted, disease risk continues to be low except for powdery mildew. Insects continue to be active, and the first codling moths have been captured. -
Northwest Michigan fruit update – May 23, 2023
Published on May 23, 2023
Tart cherries are in the shuck, sweet cherries are sizing at 7.5-9.5 mm, and apples are at petal fall. Conditions have been dry and, as a result, disease pressure has been relatively low for most fungal pathogens. -
Northwest Michigan fruit update – May 16, 2023
Published on May 16, 2023
Bees have been active and we expect good pollination of tarts and apples this year. Weather conditions are forecasted to be cooler and drier than normal, which may work in our favor to avoid fire blight blossom infection this apple bloom. -
Northwest Michigan fruit update – May 9, 2023
Published on May 9, 2023
Weather conditions have been cool and wet, and tree fruit development has been slow. Sweet cherries have been in bloom for over a week with little bee activity. Warmer weather will help with pollination, and tart cherries will be in full bloom this week. -
Northwest Michigan fruit update – May 2, 2023
Published on May 2, 2023
Current weather conditions have been cold and wet, but the forecast is for warmer and drier weather to move into the region. Warm weather will be welcomed for good pollination of opening sweet cherry.
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