Northern Michigan FruitNet 2002
Weekly Update
James E. Nugent      Gary E. Thornton       William M. Klein
NW Michigan Horticultural Research Station
Michigan State University

July 23, 2002

WEATHER

Some much needed rain fell in the region on Sunday, July 21, but amounts varied from 0.04" at Benzonia to 1.40" at Old Mission. Evaporation has been high during the past two weeks, at 2.09" and 1.94" per week, respectively.

COMMODITY REPORTS

Apple: Codling moth is now between generations. Trap catches averaged 0.6 moths per trap in an abandoned orchard that we monitor. Some orchards are still catching moths above threshold. Apple maggot emerged this past week in that same abandoned orchard, where two flies were caught. Growers who are not going to be trapping should plan to have an insecticide on for apple maggot by July 24^th, as the adults will feed for 7-10 days before they start to oviposit in apples. This week, scouts have reported catching adults on red spheres already. Growers who plan to trap should get their red spheres out as soon as possible. Fireblight infections likely occurred with last Sunday's rains where the wind was significant. After trauma events occur, streptomycin has to be applied within 24 hours – the sooner the better!

Sweet cherry harvest is nearing completion. The crop will likely pick out at less than the USDA estimate; quality has been good. Tart cherry harvest, such as it is, will begin this week. Cherry fruit fly trap catches soared this week to 27 adults per trap in our unsprayed block. Recent rains have created ideal conditions for emergence. Maggots have been found on the NWMHRS in sweet cherries -- cherries that have been sprayed in previous years, but not this year. This indicates that they are traveling farther than usual to find fruit for egg laying. No cherry leaf spot infection resulted from Sunday's rain. Brown rot is present in sweet cherries.

Potato leafhoppers have shut down terminal growth in unsprayed plums. This pest is also a problem in grapes, strawberries, raspberries and young apples. Plums are also susceptible to apple maggot.

DISASTER ASSISTANCE REQUESTED
By Jim Nugent

Phil Korson organized a meeting with Federal legislators that was held in Traverse City on Saturday, July 13, to discuss the catastrophic cherry crop loss situation. In attendance were Senators Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow, Congressman Bart Stupak and Dave Camp, a legislative aide from Congressman Pete Hockstra's office, Dan Wyant, Director, MDA, Wayne Wood, President, Michigan Farm Bureau, several growers and processors from West Central and Northwest Michigan and me. Dan Wyant MC'd the program. The crop situation and economic impacts were discussed. Each of the legislators indicated a strong commitment to try to help the industry.

An economic analysis of the impact to the cherry industry in Michigan, Utah and Wisconsin was developed this past week by Dr. Don Ricks, working with several people from the industry. This analysis was provided to the Senators and Congressmen. Sarah Black, National Legislative Council for Michigan Farm Bureau, who was also present at the meeting is providing excellent follow-up with our Federal legislators.

Our U.S. Senators and Congressmen are working hard on our behalf! We greatly appreciate their interest and support! We also want to thank the Michigan Farm Bureau and Michigan Department of Agriculture for their dedication to assist the cherry industry at a time of such great need.

CIAB WEEKLY UPDATE (Edited from CIAB Raw Product Report, Week Ending 7/20/02)

SW Michigan harvest complete at 7.1M lbs, slightly over processor estimate of 5.5M. WC Michigan at 4.0M lbs to date (processor estimate – 6.0M); expect harvest to be complete by early next week. No harvest last week in NW Michigan. NY at 5.3M (15M estimate); expected to pick close to estimate. WA at 4.8M (17M est.); triple digit temperatures are causing concern for soft fruit; expect to reach estimate. UT at 2.3M (4.0 est.); expected to not exceed estimate. Total year to date (YTD) U.S. harvest at 27.3 M lbs.

WEEKLY EVAPORATION and PRECIPITATION REPORT
 

Date	Evap/week	75% of Evap/week	Rainfall/wk at NWMHRS	Rainfall vs 75% of Evaporation	YTD Rainfall vs 75% Evaporation
5/7	1.10	0.83	1.20	+0.37	+0.37
5/14	0.99	0.74	1.04	+0.30	+0.67
5/21	0.98	0.74	0.34	-0.40	+0.27
5/28	1.22	0.92	0.90	-0.02	+0.25
6/4	1.44	1.08	1.94	+0.86	+1.11
6/11	1.28	0.96	0.14	-0.82	+0.29
6/18	0.69	0.52	1.81	+1.29	+1.58
6/25	1.65	1.24	0.94	-0.30	+1.28
7/2	1.97	1.48	0.05	-1.43	-0.15
7/9	1.91	1.43	0.49	-0.94	-1.09
7/16	2.09	1.57	0	-1.57	-2.66
7/22	1.94	1.46	0.34	-1.12	-3.78
Totals	17.17	12.97	9.19

Please send any comments or suggestions regarding this site to: 

Bill Klein, kleinw@pilot.msu.edu
Last Revised: 7-24-02