Northern Michigan FruitNet 2009
Weekly Update
NW Michigan Horticultural Research Station
| Nikki Rothwell District Horticulturist |
Erin Lizotte District Fruit IPM/IFP Agent |
Bill Klein Farm Mgr, NWMHRS |
| Duke Elsner Agricultural & Regional Viticulture Agent |
July 28, 2009
GROWING DEGREE DAY ACCUMULATIONS AS OF June 8th AT THE NWMHRS
Year |
2009 |
2008 |
2007 |
2006 |
2005 |
2004 |
19yr. Avg. |
GDD42 |
1820 |
1976 |
2288 |
2299 |
2359 |
1825 |
2067.4 |
GDD50 |
1069 | 1232 | 1477 | 1471 | 1566 | 1074 | 1307.9 |
Growth Stages at NWMHRS (7/27/09- 8:30 a.m.)
Apple: McIntosh – 48 mm fruit
Yellow Delicious – 46 mm fruit
Gala – 44 mm fruit
Red Delicious – 43 mm fruit
Pear: Bartlett: 32 mm fruit
Sweet Cherry: Hedelfingen: Harvested
Napoleon: Harvested
Gold: Harvested
Tart Cherry: Harvested
Balaton: 22 mm fruit
Apricot: 43 mm fruit
Plum: 28 mm fruit
Grapes: Buck shot berries
Weather
Cool temperatures prevail in the north. Daytime temperatures hover in the mid-70’s while nighttime temperatures are in the high 50’s. Overall, we have accumulated 1820 base 42 and 1069 base 50. Comparing these numbers to our 19-year average, we are 247GDD behind for base 42 and 238GDD behind for base 50 at the NWMHRS. There is an even further spread within the northwest region. For example, the degree day accumulations at the Northport site are only 1534GDD base 42 and 859 base 50; therefore, Northport is behind the NWMHRS by 286GDD base 42 and 210base 50. We have had some rainfall in the past week: 0.37” on 23 July, 0.41” on 25 July, 0.34” on 27 July, and 0.16” on 28 July. In total, we have had 1.28” of rain at the NWMHRS in the last five days. Unfortunately, these rains have come during sweet cherry harvest.
Crop Report
Pears are sizing, and are 32-43mm in size while apricots are also at 43mm. Apples are also sizing: Macs are at 48mm, Galas are at 44mm, Red Delicious are at 43mm, and Golden Delicious are at 46mm. Most growers are in the region have finished brine cherry harvest, except in Northport where they are in full swing. Growers are also finishing dark sweets, and the rain has caused a lot of cracking in the past few days. Some growers are abandoning blocks of dark sweets due to the increased cracking. Montmorency harvest has begun in the region, and growers are concerned about even ripening, particularly in the centers of the trees where there are still unripe fruit. Many trees have huge crops in the north, and ripening will be an issue on trees with large crop loads. At this time, many processors are taking all the fruit, but growers are considering diverting crops that may be of lower quality. Prices and quality are concerns for growers for both tarts and sweets. At this time, the Balaton crop looks big, and the fruit are starting to color. We are at the beginning of cherry harvest, and we anticipate harvest to continue well into August. Grapes are at buckshot berry, and vineyards are looking good with low pest pressure. Red raspberry harvest is also underway, and we have received a few calls about crumbly berries.
Pest Report
Apple: Spotted tentiform leafminer emergence continues in high numbers with almost 200 per trap for the second week in a row. Codling moth numbers continue to be low with an average of one moth/trap this week. Obliquebanded leafroller (OBLR) are emerging at an average of 5 moths per trap in apple sites this week; we continue to observe OBLR in many life stages in the orchards. Very few oriental fruit moths were caught this week. Susceptible apple varieties are showing significant apple scab infection.
Cherry: Obliquebanded leafroller numbers are down this week in tart cherry blocks at the NW Station, where we have caught an average of 4 moths per trap this week. Lesser peachtree borer numbers are up this week with an average of 23 per trap. Greater peachtree borer numbers are similar with an average of 21 moths/trap. American plum borer continue to emerge at low levels with 6 moths per trap. Cherry fruit flies are evident in many area orchards, and we want to stress that growers should be trapping for these insects in their individual orchards as the numbers of flies are higher than anticipated in many blocks. We caught a total of 15 cherry fruit fly and 6 black cherry fruit fly in three traps at the station. We also caught cherry and black cherry fruit fly in a variety of other insect monitoring traps. The region received just under 2” of rain since July 21 triggering moderate to high cherry leaf spot infection potential. Some cherry leaf spot symptoms are visible in tops of trees around the region. These heavy rains have also caused cracking in the remaining sweet cherry crop, and American brown rot is a major concern. Reports from area growers confirm that brown rot is showing up, but not at the level expected given recent weather conditions.
Winegrapes: Grapes continue to grow, and many regional vineyards are at buck shot berry. Leafhoppers have been difficult to find this season, and we have little evidence of powdery mildew. Based on a biofix of wild grape bloom on June 19th, the model is forecasting the start of second generation egg-laying next week. All seems to be quiet in the regional vineyards this season.
WIND TURBINE GRANTS AVAILABLE
Rob Sirrine, CED, Leelanau County
Growers have until July 31 to apply for USDA Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) grants. The grants provide money to purchase and install small wind turbines or other renewable energy systems. Growers, ranchers and rural business owners are eligible for grants to cover 25% of the total installed cost of the small wind turbine system. These USDA grants, when used in conjunction with the Federal Investment Tax Credit (ITC), can help a farmer install a small wind turbine system for roughly 50% of the normal cost.
These incentives, when coupled with the cost savings realized from producing one's own electricity, can result in impressive investment prospects. For example, according to David Shirkey of Renewable Options & Investments (ROI), in locations with 11 mph average wind speeds and with utility rates of $0.12 per kWh, a grower could realize a 12% annual rate of return on his investment and a payback of 8 years.
The incentive package may even be more attractive in certain locations where the local utility cooperative (or rural electric association) offers a rebate to its members. In these cases, farmers may realize an even greater return on investment and a shorter term payback.
The grant program is designed to assist farmers and ranchers who gain 50% or more of their gross income from agricultural operations. Rural small businesses with less than 15 employees are also eligible. The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) offers examples of farmers and small business owners who have successfully installed small wind turbine systems on their property.
Not only do growers need to keep in mind that the deadline is fast approaching, but it may take up to 2 weeks for a farmer to fully complete an application, thus it is recommended to begin the process as soon as possible.
SEASONAL LABOR UPDATE
Rob Sirrine, CED, Leelanau Co.
On July 8, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano announced the department will be proposing a new regulation rescinding the Social Security Administration No-Match Rule - a regulation issued by the Bush administration in August 2007 and enjoined by a U.S. District Court since it was introduced. The rule was intended to address an employer's obligations in response to receipt of a social security number mismatch notice from the Social Security Administration (SSA).
The rule stated that receipt of a SSA no-match letter could be used as evidence that the employer has constructive knowledge that an employee lacks work authorization. The No-Match Rule also made clear that an employer who did not follow the guidelines would be susceptible to an I-9 violation and possible fines in the event of a workplace audit or raid.
"This rule would have been devastating to the California and Arizona fresh fruit, vegetable, and tree-nut industries and would have caused massive layoffs of employment-authorized workers and U.S. citizens, while dragging the economy deeper into recession," said Tom Nassif, president and CEO of Western Growers. "I want to thank Secretary Napolitano for showing great leadership and quickly rescinding such a bad policy. The No-Match Rule wrongly presumed that if a worker has been named in a 'no-match' letter, then the worker is ineligible to work in the U.S. The reality is that the SSA database is not, and was never intended to be, an immigration database and does not contain real-time data on individuals' immigration status or work authorization. We need an effective guest worker program and true immigration reform, such as the Ag JOBS legislation, and we urge Congress to move this bill to the president's desk this year."
Insect and disease predictive information is available at:
http://www.enviroweather.msu.edu/home.asp
http://www.agweather.geo.msu.edu/agwx/forecasts/fcst.asp?fileid=fous46ktvc
http://www.cherries.msu.edu/
Fruit CAT Alert Reports
http://www.ipmnews.msu.edu/fruit/
This issue and past issues of the weekly FruitNet report are posted on our website at: http://www.maes.msu.edu/nwmihort/faxnet.htm
ACTUAL
AND PREDICTED DEGREE-DAY
ACCUMULATIONS
SINCE MARCH 1, 2009
Please send any comments or suggestions regarding this site
to:
Bill Klein, kleinw@msu.edu
Last Revised: 7-28-09
