Northern Michigan FruitNet 2008
Weekly Update
NW Michigan Horticultural Research Station
| Nikki Rothwell District Horticulturist |
Erin Lizotte District Fruit IPM Agent |
Bill Klein Farm Mgr, NWMHRS |
| Duke Elsner Agricultural & Regional Viticulture Agent |
Rob Sirrine Leelanau Extension Director |
July 29, 2008
GROWING DEGREE DAY ACCUMULATIONS THROUGH JULY 28th AT THE NWMHRS
|
Year |
2008 |
2007 |
2006 |
2005 |
2004 |
2003 |
18yr. Avg. |
|
GDD42 |
2002 |
2320 |
2334 |
2383 |
1854 |
1970 |
2100.7 |
|
GDD50 |
1250 |
1501 |
1498 |
1583 |
1095 |
1197 |
1332.4 |
Weather Report
The past week has brought in pleasant summer temperatures. Daytime temperatures have been in the upper 70’s, and nighttime temperatures have been cool—mid-50’s to low 60’s. Overall, we have accumulated 2002 GDD base 42 and 1250 base 50. Rainfall was variable again across the northwest, where here at the NWMHRS we received negligible precipitation while the Benzonia weather station recorded 0.5" of rainfall.
Crop Report
The sweet cherry harvest is winding down, and most growers in the region are finished, except for Northport area growers who anticipate to be completed in the next few days. American brown rot has been a particular challenge this season, and many growers have abandoned blocks or partial blocks due to epidemic levels of this disease. Tart cherry harvest is in full swing. The crop size is on the small size, which has lead to larger fruit. Quality has also been a challenge in this crop, and wind whip seems to be the main culprit at the processor.
Pest Report
Cherry
Oblique banded leafroller numbers are still quite high, with an average of 25 per trap in the station trap line this week. Lesser peach tree borer and American plum borer numbers are down with less than ten of the station trap lines. Greater peach tree borer emergence is averaging around 20 moths per trap this week. Cherry fruit fly numbers continue to be a concern; at the NW station, we trapped 86 flies and reports from area scouts are reporting similar trap catches in area orchards. Powdery mildew is quit prevalent on new growth in area tart cherry orchards, American brown rot is also being observed in Balaton and Montmorency blocks where wind whip was a problem. American brown rot levels in some area sweet cherry orchards have prompted many growers abandon harvest in some blocks. It is important to shake unsalable cherries onto the ground to prevent inoculum buildup as the fungus overwinters in dried "mummy" cherries on the trees. Lastly, as we move into the postseason, controlling cherry leaf spot should remain at the forefront of our minds. A postharvest application of chlorothalonil (Bravo) has been shown to significantly increase the retention of leaves into the fall, increasing a tree’s ability to accumulate carbohydrates, which can ultimately minimize winter injury and poor fruit set in subsequent seasons.
Apple
Spotted tentiform leafminer trap catches continue to be high with 186 in the station trap line this week. An average of 7 codling moths, 8 oblique banded leafrollers and 6 Oriental fruit moths were recorded at the station on Monday. According to the codling moth PETE degree day model (based on the station biofix date of 6/3), we have accumulated 951 DD50, and should begin to see second generation adults emerging sometime next week at approximately 1,150 DD50 post-biofix. We’ll begin looking for the second flush of oriental fruit moth in the coming weeks. One area scout reported an apple maggot in mid July, but we have not trapped any at the station. Apple maggot emergence occurred almost three weeks ago in southern Michigan, so we’ll be expecting them to pop up in our region any day now. Growers are encouraged to have red sticky ball traps in all their blocks to effectively monitor apple maggot. European red and two-spotted spider mites are reaching threshold levels in some area orchards. Green apple aphids are also being reported by area scouts.
Grape
Little has changed since the last scouting report was released. Powdery mildew (PM) levels remain low as we move out of the "super" susceptible fruit stage in most area vineyards. However, in the unsprayed rows at the NWMHRS, PM is visible on leaves and fruit clusters. Downey mildew has been found in area vineyards, and we are starting to see grape berry moth webbing in clusters. A few Japanese beetles have been sighted feeding on raspberries.
OBLIQUEBANDED LEAFROLLER LARVAE WANTED!
N.L. Rothwell, District Horticulturist
Obliquebanded leafroller (OBLR) appears to be on the rise in both
cherry and apple orchards in the region. We are interested in exploring
if organophosphate (OP) resistance is the cause of our increasing
populations. The method to determine if OBLR are resistant to OP’s is
quite cumbersome and requires collecting larvae from different orchards
(both cherry and apple). At this time, second generation larvae are
present in orchards, and we need to locate blocks where OBLR has been
problematic. Please contact the NWMHRS if a particular orchard has or
has had OBLR: 231-946-1510.
BROWN ROT MANAGEMENT IN UNHARVESTED ORCHARDS
Erin Lizotte, IFP/IPM District Educator, NWMHRS
As many growers are aware, American brown rot (ABR) has been a huge issue this season. Brown rot has been reported at epidemic levels in many area sweet cherry orchards, prompting many growers to leave blocks or portions of blocks unharvested. We suspect that the wet spring and recent warm weather provided the perfect conditions for exponential spread of the fungi. Additionally, many areas suffered hail, wind, and/or frost damage increasing fruit susceptibility; these events provided the perfect set of circumstances for allowing brown rot infections to establish themselves early, well before the fruit was ripe.
Many initial ABR infections come from the "mummies" (dried, black cherries that remain on trees after harvest) that serve as an overwintering site for the fungi. Growers that are not harvesting sweet cherries due to excessive ABR in an orchard are likely setting themselves up for repeat ABR outbreaks next season. Therefore, growers that do not intend to harvest cherries for commercial purposes should shake the fruit onto the ground to prevent the build up of inoculum in the orchard next spring. Given the high levels of infection this season, the number of mummies overwintering with ABR will provide a lot of infection potential for 2009. It is also important to note that although tart cherries are less susceptible to ABR, we have been observing higher than usual infections in Montmorency and Balaton orchards, which reinforces the importance of reducing inoculum levels to protect adjacent orchards.
POST HARVEST SPRAYS FOR CHERRY LEAF SPOT
Nikki Rothwell, NWMHRS
George Sundin, Plant Pathology, MSU
Cherry leaf spot is the most important fungal disease of tart cherry in Michigan. The leaf spot fungus Blumeriella jaapii infects leaves with symptoms first appearing on upper leaf surfaces as small purple spots. As spots accumulate on leaves, the leaves turn yellow and fall. The amount of lesions required to cause leaf yellowing and drop is variable. Late summer (August, early September) defoliation reduces the ability of trees to store photosynthate in roots leading to an overall loss of vigor and leaving trees more susceptible to killing by winter injury. Early-defoliated trees also typically exhibit reduced flower bud formation and often set less fruit the following season.
As harvest will be winding down for cherries, many growers will be considering post-harvest applications for cherry leaf spot (CLS). Considering the considerable amount of precipitation early this season, the disease pressure has been considerably higher compared to seasons past. We have also seen CLS lesions showing up on cherry leaves in the region, and we have observed some defoliation in some sites. For these reasons, growers may want to opt for making a post-harvest application for CLS.
We also cannot guess as to the weather for the remainder of July and into August. With the inability to forecast our future weather, growers will have to decide soon if he/she will need a post-harvest application. In addition, growers often do not notice CLS until they observe lesions forming on the leaves and/or defoliation, and at that point, it is often too late for control. At this time, growers should be scouting the tops of trees for yellowing leaves or for defoliation under the tree. These indicators are usually the first signs of cherry leaf spot infections that can be easily spotted by growers busy with harvest. Tops of trees tend to be more infected with CLS due to reduced spray coverage. Growers also need to keep in mind that even a relatively low level of infection now could spread rapidly if sufficient rain events occur in the coming weeks.
Leaves
typically fall from branches a few weeks after they begin to show
disease symptoms. Thus, the goal of a cherry leaf spot management
program is to maintain a healthy canopy on trees at least through the
end of September. This recommendation would ensure an adequate amount
of leaves on trees into late October and beyond.
The fungicide of choice for leaf spot control after harvest is
chlorothalonil (Bravo). Bravo 82.5 WDG at a rate of 3 lbs./A provides
excellent leaf spot control. In addition, Bravo is a broad spectrum
fungicide and thus is not subject to fungicide resistance concerns.
CHERRY PILOT PROGRAM MEETING
Matt Kamphoefner, Specialty Crops Coordinator
The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation’s Board of Directors approved the implementation of the Actual Revenue History (ARH) Cherry Pilot Program on April 24, 2008. This pilot plan’s design replaces the Fixed Dollar plan of insurance for cherries for the 2009 crop year. The Michigan counties approved for the program are Grand Traverse and Leelanau. On August 19, 2008, RMA will be sponsoring an ARH Cherry meeting in which you all are invited to attend. Watts and Associates, the program developer, will be presenting at the informational seminar. This will be an excellent opportunity for Michigan cherry growers to become familiar with the design of the new insurance program for crop year 2009.
Where: NW Michigan Horticultural Research Station
6686 S Center Highway
Traverse City, Michigan 49684
Time: 1:30-3:30 p.m.
CAN YOU GENERATE ENERGY ON YOUR FARM? THE ANSWER IS BLOWING IN THE WIND
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Farmers interested in finding out whether building a windmill to generate energy or income might be feasible for their operations can apply for Michigan State University’s (MSU’s) anemometer loan program.
Ten anemometers (devices used to measure wind velocity) are available to qualified agricultural producers from MSU in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Energy. The anemometer loan is meant to help farmers determine if they have sufficient wind resources to benefit from the installation of small wind turbines.
Anemometers usually cost about $4,000, but these devices will be made available to selected producers for $250. The fee offsets installation costs.
Using the anemometers will help farmers determine the feasibility of setting up small wind generators that would reduce their dependence on fossil fuels.
To be eligible for the anemometer loan program, the property owner must approve the installation, and the anemometer must be used in an agricultural setting in Michigan. MSU Extension will select the borrowers, manage the lending of the anemometers, and provide technical support for installation, operation and analysis of the wind speed data collected over the loan period.
Applications for the loan program are available at http://web1.msue.msu.edu/wind; the application deadline is Aug. 31.
For more information, contact Eric Wittenberg, MSU anemometer loan program coordinator, by e-mail at wittenbe@msu.edu or by phone at 517-355-6650; or Steve Harsh, MSU professor of agricultural, food and resource economics, at harsh@msu.edu or 517-353-4518.
REMINDER ABOUT 2008 OPEN HOUSE
Although we are in the thick of cherry harvest, we want to remind growers and all friends of the Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Station about the upcoming Open House. This year's Open House will be held on Thursday, 21 August. Educational sessions will be held in the afternoon followed by wine tasting and dinner at 6pm. We hope everyone will be able to attend this post-cherry harvest event!
NW WINE GRAPE IPM "FIRST FRIDAY" MEETING AND HARVEST BBQ
Paul Jenkins
MSU Small Fruit Education Coordinator
Date: Friday, August 1
Location: NWMHRS
Time: 3:00 – ???
Paul Jenkins, MSU Fruit Education Coordinator, will lead a discussion on sustainable grape production, including a new workbook for Michigan growers and vineyard managers to assess on-farm sustainability. The meeting will include an end of season potluck where Plevalean hamburgers and all the fixings will be provided. Please bring a dish to pass and your favorite beverage! For more information, contact Paul at jenki132@msu.edu or 517-432-7751 or the NWMHRS at 231-946-1510.
BIRD DAMAGE IN MI FRUITS
Erin Lizotte
IFP/IPM District Educator, MSU-E
As all fruit growers know, bird damage causes significant loss of fruit crops each year in this region. The last bird damage survey in Michigan was performed in 1972 and estimated tart cherry damage at 17.4%. These numbers are considered minor compared to losses in the wine grape and blueberry industries each year. We are lucky to have attracted the interest of Dr. Catherine Lindell, Dept of Zoology, MSU, who has worked extensively with bird pests in Costa Rica and has been visiting apple, cherry, and grape growers to learn more about our industry. Dr. Lindell will be helping us gather information on species structure and bird behavior in fruit systems.
We are distributing surveys to growers to record your observations on your farm. These surveys are meant to determine what species of birds are in the fruit, what they are doing in the orchard/vineyard, and how many of them are present. These surveys will be used to develop a season-long bird species profile for different crops. As we go into the busy harvesting season, this information becomes even more important, as most of the damage will take place as the fruit ripens.
Please go to http://www.maes.msu.edu/nwmihort/birdsurvey.pdf to print the survey form and fill out the survey for observations made during a one week period. You don’t have to fill one out every week to participate as the information will be consolidated across counties. Bird surveys will also be available from the Research Station in paper form. The data collected in these surveys will be used to prove impact during grant application, and will help direct future research.
To return your survey via fax, please send it to (231)946-1404, attention Erin. You may also e-mail them as an attachment to taylo548@msu.edu.
"KEEP OUR FARMERS FARMING" AUCTION
The Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Foundation will be having an auction on October 4, 2008. It will be held at 10:00 am at the Horticultural Research Station, 6686 S. Center Highway in Leelanau County. The Foundation is currently seeking items for the auction. Individuals or businesses can donate or consign farm equipment, lawnmowers, 4 wheelers, antiques, collectibles, or miscellaneous items worth over $25.00. The commission rate on consigned items is 10% to the Auction House, 20% to the Foundation and 70% to the individual or business. Proceeds will be used to fund horticultural research in northwest Michigan. Auction services will be provided by Century Asset Management, Inc. Everyone is welcome to attend.
Questions should be addressed to:
Jeff Winegard, Event Coordinator, Phone: (231) 348-8273 E-mail: winegard@charter.net
Dennis Kubesh, Auctioneer, Phone: (231) 228 6667 Fax (231) 228-7518 Web : www.centuryassets.com
WEBSITES OF INTEREST
Weekly CIAB Raw Product Report
http://www.cherryboard.org/Production2008.htm
Insect and disease predictive
information is available at:
http://www.enviroweather.msu.edu/home.asp
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, 2008
Please send any comments or suggestions
regarding this site to:
Bill Klein, kleinw@msu.edu
Last Revised: 7-29-08
Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Station
6686 S. Center Hwy • Traverse City, Michigan 49684
Tel: 231/946-1510 Fax: 231/946-1404