July 5, 2000

GROWING DEGREE DAY ACCUMULATIONS through July 4th at the NWMHRS

Year        2000       1999       1998        1997
GDD42    1507       1657       1686        1237
GDD50      858       1019       1026         735

GROWTH STAGES:
Pear: Bartlett -- 26mm
Apple: Red Delicious -- 36mm
Sweet Cherry: Napoleon -- 20mm, coloring
Tart Cherry: Montmorency -- 20mm, coloring
Grapes: Chardonnay -- bloom

WEATHER
By Jim Nugent

This past week, precipitation at the NWMHRS was 0.21", with evaporation at 1.61." Generally, moisture has been quite good this season, but some areas are beginning to show signs of moisture deficit. Rainfall and evaporation weekly totals since May 3^rd at the NWMHRS are as follows: 
 

Date	Weekly Rainfall	Weekly Evaporation	Rainfall vs Evaporation +1	Rainfall vs 75% of Evaporation +/-
5/9	0.63	1.85	-1.22	-0.76
5/16	1.24	1.08	0.16	0.43
5/23	0.98	1.06	-0.08	0.19
5/30	0.10	1.14	-1.04	-0.76
6/6	0.56	1.09	-0.53	-0.26
6/13	0.66	1.59	-0.93	-0.53
6/20	0.54	1.41	-0.87	-0.52
6/27	1.00	1.39	-0.39	-0.04
7/4	0.21	1.61	-1.40	-0.38
Total	5.92	12.22	-6.30	-2.63
for
Period

Note that rainfall has not equaled 75% of evaporation for the past six weeks. The 75% of pan evaporation is of importance as it has generally been found to be an approximation of fruit tree water needs for many crops. High density apples (M26 or smaller) are better approximated using a 100% estimation, except Mark which needs 150% of e-pan. Dr. Jim Flore, MSU Dept of Horticulture, says that recent research is finding that replacing 100% of e-pan evaporation for other high yielding crops may be more important than formerly thought, however, this data is not for cherry. For now, I suggest that irrigation scheduling take into account crop load; i.e., with heavy crop plan to increase water. 

INSECTS AND DISEASES
By Gary Thornton, District Fruit IPM Agent

CHERRY LEAF SPOT – Despite numerous wetting periods, cherry leaf spot pressure has been low this year. Growers should continue to keep their leaves protected through harvest.

BROWN ROT – Sweet and tart cherries are at their most susceptible stage now. Elite, Orbit and Indar are all excellent for controlling this disease. They don't control alternaria, though, which infects fruit wounded from hail or cracking. Captan is the only fungicide currently labeled that will control it at this stage of growth. If you have Rovral with the old label on it, it can be used. Check the pre-harvest interval on the label.

APPLE MAGGOT – Last week the first adult was caught in the East Leland area. This week three more flies were caught in the Suttons Bay area. Growers should get their red sticky spheres out if they plan to trap for apple maggot flies. If you are not trapping, then you need to have an insecticide on by the end of the week to ensure clean fruit.

CHERRY FRUIT FLY – Many growers are finding adults in commercial orchards now. If you are not trapping, you need to have an insecticide on from now through harvest.

CODLING MOTH – Trap catches continued to drop for the third week. We averaged one per trap at the NWMHRS and at the abandoned orchard.

SPOTTED TENTIFORM LEAFMINER – Trap catches dropped off to 372 per trap, down from the previous two weeks. The sap feeding stage should be showing up soon.

GREEN APPLE APHIDS continue to be a problem in a few blocks. 

EUROPEAN RED MITES are in low numbers in most blocks, but a few blocks are already seeing bronzing in the hot spots. Predators are not as abundant as in the last two years.

TWO SPOTTED SPIDER MITES – The wet weather has kept the orchard middles lush up until now. As a result, the two-spotted spider mite has not migrated in full force into the tart cherries. They can be found, but mostly in low numbers. If the dry weather trend continues, this could rapidly change.

MISCELLANEOUS

SEAGULLS
By Jim Nugent

Ring-billed gulls are causing more problems than ever for many cherry growers. Managing seagulls generally remains a combination of tactics that includes harassment of some sort (e.g. exploding shells, cannons, etc.) with shooting. Shooting ring-billed gulls requires a federal permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Dept. of the Interior, Minnesota). This permit also requires the approval of the USDA's Michigan State Director of Animal Damage, Tony Duffiney. To expedite a process that usually takes many days, the following process has been put in place for cherry growers in NW Michigan so you can get approved in one working day.

• Get the permit application. This can be done either by having Tony Duffiney's office fax it to you, or by getting a copy of the application from your local Extension office or the NWMHRS. Tony's office is in Okemos, MI, phone 517/336-1928.

 
• Fill out application, being sure to indicate other efforts (besides shooting) to harass the seagulls, even if it's just driving through the orchards, etc.
• Write out a $25 check for the permit application fee.
• Fax a copy of the application and check to Tony Duffiney at 517/336-1934. If you don't have a fax, any Extension office or the NWMHRS will fax this in for you.
• After faxing, send the application and check as indicated into the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service in Minnesota.
• You should get a phone or fax response in 24 hours, otherwise contact Tony.
• Once the permit is received, Tony suggests targeting seagulls early in the morning as they are coming into the orchard. If using something like exploding shells, fire these just before or after killing a few gulls. Leave the dead gulls at the site. Later when exploding shells are fired, they will correlate these with death of birds. Preferably begin as soon as birds are coming into the orchards.
Once a permit is received, I understand it is easier in subsequent years to get a renewal.

Shell crackers are made to either fit 12 gauge shot guns (single short or double-barreled guns work better than guns with magazines) or with a pistol. Possible sources for shell crackers are: The local DNR office (922-5280) and ask for Tim Webb, Tony Duffiney (USDA Animal Damage Office), 517/336-1928, Critter Control in Traverse City at 947-2400 and Reed-Joseph in Missouri at 800-647-5554. Contact the NWMHRS if you have any questions.

GRAND TRAVERSE COUNTY EXTENSION OFFICE TO MOVE

The MSU Extension office for Grand Traverse County will be moving to a new location on July 14^th. The new address will be 520 W. Front Street in Traverse City. The new facility is a county owned office building attached to the fire station on the north side of Front Street. The office should re-open for business on July 19^th. 

Telephone: 231/922-4620
Fax: 231/922-4633
E-mail: grandtra@msue.msu.edu

Please send any comments or suggestions regarding this site to: 
Bill Klein, kleinw@pilot.msu.edu

Last Revised:7-06-00