1/16-18     Heartland Grape Conference
                Kellogg Biological Station
                  Hickory Corners

1/20           Maple Syrup Producers 
                  Annual Meeting
                Doherty Hotel, Clare

1/22        National Sweet Cherry Growers & 
                Industries Foundation Annual Meeting
                Grand Traverse Resort, Acme

1/23-24     NW Michigan Orchard Show
                Grand Traverse Resort

1/25        CIAB Annual Meeting
                Grand Traverse Resort

1/23-24     Tax Treatment of Timber Sales
                  7:00-9:00 p.m.
                  MDNR Center, Cadillac (23^rd)
                  MSUE Office, Mio (24^th)

2/5-7       MSU Tree Fruit IPM School
                  Kellogg Biological Station 

2/17        Northern Michigan Small Farm Conference
                 Sylvan Treetops, Gaylord

2/18-21    IDFTA 
                 Grand Rapids 

3/3-4      MI Conf. On Organic Agriculture
                 Kellogg Center, MSU

3/5-6      Organic Fruit School
                 Michigan State University

3/13-14    Benzie/Manistee Hort Show
                 Crystal Mountain Resort
                 Thompsonville 

3/14-16    Farm Women's Symposium
                 Mt. Pleasant

NW MICHIGAN ORCHARD SHOW PROGRAM AND HIGHLIGHTS
By Jim Nugent and Duke Elsner

The 2001 Northwest Michigan Orchard Show will be held on Tuesday and Wednesday, January 23 & 24, at the Grand Traverse Resort in Acme, Michigan. Agenda enclosed. The title for this year’s show is "It’s the NEW Millennium: New Varieties, New Uses, New Markets, New Prices". The show opens both days at 8:00 a.m., with the educational sessions beginning at 9:00 a.m. Registration is $10 per person (over 12). The Cherry Industry Luncheon will be held on Tuesday the 23^rd; the Cherry Marketing Institute annual meeting and luncheon will be on Wednesday the 24^th. The exhibitor hall will be open both days. 

The morning program features presentations on sweet and tart cherry topics. Tuesday afternoon’s program includes diverse topics in the general session, plus a concurrent session with topics of particular interest to the grape and wine industry in northwest Michigan. The afternoon will conclude with the Orchard Show's social hour with local wines and cheese.

On Tuesday evening, immediately following the social hour, the Balaton Marketing Committee has scheduled a meeting for all interested producers, processors and marketers of Balaton tart cherries. The agenda will include an update on the activities of the Balaton Marketing Committee, nutraceutical product development, research, processing and marketing. Everyone associated with or interested in the new Balaton tart cherry will want to attend this industry information meeting to learn the latest developments.

Wednesday opens with the annual meeting of the Cherry Marketing Institute, followed by their luncheon, which is free to growers. Wednesday afternoon’s program focuses on factors that affect grower prices for tart cherries.

BALATON GROWERS
By Jim Nugent and Jim Bardenhagen

As noted above, efforts have been made to form a Balaton Marketing Committee to help foster the development of new, successful, premium markets for Balaton. We have attempted to identify Balaton growers, but we know we have missed some. If you have Balaton and are interested, but are not on our mailing list, please come to the special Balaton meeting at the Orchard Show and sign up, or contact Jackie Baase at the NWMHRS and she'll get you on the mailing list.

NATIONAL SWEET CHERRY GROWERS AND INDUSTRY FOUNDATION ANNUAL MEETING
By Jim Nugent

This year Michigan is hosting the annual meeting of the NCGIF on Monday, January 22, beginning at 9:00 a.m. at the Grand Traverse Resort. There will likely be a tour in the afternoon.

The NCGIF is the national organization for promotion of processing sweet cherries. Funding comes from sweet cherry growers and processors in Michigan, Washington, Oregon and California, hence generally board meetings and the annual meeting are held on the West Coast. This is a great opportunity for growers to see how the national promotion programs are being conducted and to interact with major sweet cherry processors and growers in the U.S. brining, canning and freezing industries. Dave White, Antrim grower, is this year's President of the NCGIF board of directors. You are welcome and encouraged to attend.

NW MI HORT RESEARCH FOUNDATION ANNUAL MEETING

The NWMHR Foundation will hold its annual meeting on Tuesday, January 23, from 2:00-2:20 p.m. during the Orchard Show.

CIAB MEETING

The Cherry Industry Administrative Board will meet on Thursday, January 25, beginning at 9:00 a.m. at the Grand Traverse Resort. 

CIAB AMENDMENT
By Jim Nugent

The vote on the first of the industry's two amendment packages to the tart cherry marketing order will be conducted by the USDA during January, 2001. For this vote, one of the amendments clarifies the definition of "sales constituency". The other redefines the Optimum Supply Formula to correct what was actually an oversight when it was originally written. This latter change would not change the result of what is currently being done, but would put it in a format preferred by the CIAB and USDA. 

The other set of amendments, including one that proposes to include all producing districts in the restricted area, will come later. Look for your ballot to arrive around mid-January, and return it no later than January 26, 2001. If you have questions about this, please contact Perry Hedin at the CIAB (888-639-2422), a CIAB representative, or an MSU Extension agent.

2001 TREE FRUIT IPM SCHOOL
By Gary Thornton

The 2001 MSU Tree Fruit IPM School will be held on February 5-7^th at the Kellogg Biological Station near Battle Creek. This year, three out-of-state speakers will be featured, as well as many MSU specialists.

Dr. Sherman Thomson, Plant Pathology, Utah State University - Fireblight and powdery mildew.

Dr. Greg Krawczyk, Department of Entomology, Penn State University - Oriental fruit moth and codling moth.

Dr. Greg Fillip, Department of Forest Service, Oregon State University - Armillaria root rot. 

In addition to these out-of-state speakers, many MSU specialists will also be updating the attendees on their latest research. Some of those attending include: Dr. Alan Jones, Dept of Plant Pathology and Richard Ledebuhr, Dept of Agriculture Engineering, as well as Dr. Larry Gut, Dr. Mark Whalon, Dr. Oscar Liburd and Dr. John Wise all of the Dept of Entomology.

If you should have any questions, contact Gary Thornton, NWMHRS, 231-946-1510.

"""""""""""""""""""""

Registration Form

Please register before February 2^nd.

Regular Registration $260/person

Commuter Registration $230/person

Total Enclosed $___________

Name_____________________________

Address___________________________

City______________________________

State___________ Zip code___________

Telephone #_______________________

Regular Registration Only
Please complete the following for your 
Dormitory assignment (circle your choice)
You are: Male Female
Prefer: Non-smoking Smoking

Please make checks payable to: 
Michigan State University

Send to:     MSU IPM Programs
B18 Food Safety & Toxicology
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824-1302

HEARTLAND WINE GRAPE CONFERENCE
By Duke Elsner

The Heartland Coalition, sponsored by Michigan State, Ohio State and Purdue Universities, will hold a 3-day conference to provide practical information for those who would like to pursue wine grape growing and marketing opportunities. It will be held at the Kellogg Biological Station near Battle Creek, Michigan, from January 16-18, 2001. Topics will emphasize vineyard establishment with the latter portion of the meeting dedicated to winery establishment. For more information on the program for this meeting or to register, contact Dr. Tom Zabadal or Diane Dings at the SW Michigan Research and Extension Center at 616/944-1477 (ext. 200) or e-mail at swmihort@msue.msu.edu.

2000 MICHIGAN FRUIT TREE SURVEY REMINDER
By Jim Nugent

The 2000 Michigan Fruit Tree Survey is currently underway. Please take the time and effort to fill out and return the survey as it provides valuable information to the fruit industry to assist with marketing, production forecasting and promotion. Survey results will be available in late summer, 2001. Each grower will receive a copy of the summary bulletin.

WHAT TO EXPECT FOR CAT ALERTS IN 2001 
By Joy Newman Landis, MSU Integrated Pest Mgt. Programs

1) As in 2000, most CAT Alert issues will arrive during the growing season, while the rest will be published during fall and winter: 

- Fruit edition, 18 issues from March through October 

- Vegetable edition, 18 issues April through October 

- Field Crop, 19 issues March through February 2002 (tentative) 

- Landscape, 18 issues March through October 

2) With the support of a grant from the Department of Agriculture, we will continue to post issues of the CAT Alert on the IPM Web: http://www.msue.msu.edu/ipm/aboutcat.htm. Readers will have free access to both current issues and archives. When possible, digital photos will be posted at the CAT Alert Web site to enhance the newsletters. 

3) The price for a mail subscription continues (for the fourth season) to be $35. Subscriptions can be sent in at any time during the year. We will send back issues for the current publishing year if the subscription arrives before July 1. After July 1, the subscription fee is $15 and does not include back issues. 

4) We have a new edition, the Greenhouse Alert that is an electronic newsletter published January to May. Details are available at: http://www.msue.msu.edu/ipm/greenhouseAlert.htm

If you have questions or suggestions about the Alerts, please call 517/353-4951.

MICHIGAN CONFERENCE ON
ORGANIC AGRICULTURE
Saturday and Sunday, March 3 & 4, 2001
Kellogg Center

This major statewide conference is sponsored by the Michigan Department of Agriculture, Michigan State University, Michigan Organic Food and Farm Alliance, Michigan State Sustainable Agriculture Network, Michigan Farm Bureau, Eden Foods, Michigan Integrated Food and Farming Systems, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Michigan Agricultural Stewardship Association, the Rural Development Council of Michigan, Michigan Chapter of the Soil and Water Conservation Society, and North Central Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education.

Further information is available from local Extension offices.

MSU ORGANIC FRUIT SCHOOL
By Deepa Ramsinghani
Dept of Horticulture, MSU

The topic for the MSU Fruit School will be Organic Fruit Production and Marketing. The program will be held on Monday and Tuesday, March 5^th and 6^th (immediately after the Michigan Organic Conference on March 3^rd and 4^th) at MSU. The guest lecturer will be Franco Weibel, Research Institute for Organic Agriculture, Switzerland. The cost is $200, which includes some meals but not lodging. For more information and/or to register, contact Sandy Allen, MSU Dept of Horticulture at 517/355-8362 or email at allens@msu.edu, or register via the web at www.hrt.msu.edu/organicfruitschool.htm.

DISASTER ASSISTANCE GRANTS & LOANS
By Jim Bardenhagen 

A number of loans, emergency loans and disaster assistance programs have been passed by Congress in 2000. They will all be administered by your local Farm Service Agency. Growers can currently sign-up for two types of loans:
 

1.  Apple Loans - This is a 3¾% loan for 3 years at a rate of $300/acre. A grower must have 10 acres of apples to be eligible.

In addition, as soon as the USDA completes the rules and starts the sign-up process, a number of disaster grants will be available to apply for.
 

1. General Disaster Assistance for all 2000 crops. This was forecasted to start sign-up on January 18^th, but is likely to come later. No information on the rules is available yet.

2. $100 Million in Market Loss Assistance to apple growers for poor prices on 1998, 1999 crops. No word on when sign-up will be.

3. $38 Million in Crop Disaster Assistance for apple & potato growers based on quality and production losses on their 1999 and/or 2000 crop.

So if you're on their mailing list, you will be informed. If not, you may wish to call FSA and get your name on their mailing list. Traverse City at 941-0951 x 2; Cadillac at 775-7681 or Petoskey 347-2133. 

You can start the process by getting production records, tree accounts and spray records ready for the crops you might apply for.

SMALL FARM CONFERENCE
Jack Middleton, Otsego Co. MSUE

The conference will address interests of start-up and innovative farmers who are adapting to more profit per product by direct and innovative marketing styles. The Northern Michigan Small Farm Conference will take place at Sylvan Treetops Resort in Gaylord, Michigan on Saturday, February 17, 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The program features over twenty innovative farmers who have made niche marketing agriculture work on their farms. The conference is broken into twelve sessions, such as soil quality in organic production, direct marketing of farm produce, profitable forest management, wildlife, and co-ops that work, growing fruits and nuts and other interesting topics. Featured speaker Ben Bartlett of Michigan State University Extension feels that farmers need to take charge of their production and marketing opportunities. Ben will also discuss the important roles of farmers in our communities. This conference is a great way to see how other producers have made the most of the opportunities that exist in today’s society.

The program is sponsored and developed by Michigan Integrated Food and Farming Systems, Michigan Agriculture Stewardship Association, Michigan Organic Food & Farm Alliance, and Michigan State University Extension Offices of the North and MSU Project GREEEN. For more information and a brochure call the Otsego County MSU Extension Office at (517) 731-0272 or email otsego@msue.msu.edu and a brochure will be mailed to you. 

FARM WOMEN'S SYMPOSIUM

The Farm Women's Symposium will be held March 14-16, 2001, at the Comfort Inn in Mt. Pleasant. The program will feature Minnesota farm broadcaster Donna Moenning, plus several other speakers. For program and registration information, contact Barb Zahm at 616/784-2796 or Sheryl Smith at 517/543-1360.

REPORT ON GREAT LAKES FRUIT WORKERS' CONFERENCE
By Gary Thornton, MSUE and Jon Clements, Tree Fruit Specialist, University of Massachusetts

The following are excerpts from the annual "Great Lakes Fruit Workers Conference"

Economics and Marketing

The New York apple harvest situation in 2000 was outlined by Alison DeMaree, Cornell Cooperative Extension Educator. Her points on what’s needed to retain an apple industry in New York (but clearly applicable to Michigan) include:

• U.S. per capita consumption of apples needs to increase
• every grower needs to remove every variety they cannot sell at a profit
• every grower needs to think about removing 25% of their lowest value production (not acreage)
• growers need to replant consumer demanded varieties of apples at densities that allow high early production (2nd, 3rd, 4th leaf) and high quality

Crop Load and Physiology

The subject of Honeycrisp fruit thinning was addressed by Cornell University/Hudson Valley Lab pomologist Jim Schupp. After two years of experimenting with thinning Honeycrisp using various rates of NAA, Sevin, and Accel (including combinations) his conclusions are: Honeycrisp are easy to thin--low rates of NAA (< 5 ppm) or NAA (2.5 ppm) plus Sevin (1 pt. per 100 gallons) are sufficient to achieve some thinning; 5 ppm NAA plus Sevin and Accel plus Sevin considerably over-thinned Honeycrisp. The challenge will be achieving return bloom-- he said mid-season applications of Ethrel may need to be looked at. In conclusion, Schupp said that "growing quality Honeycrisp presents many challenges, but thinning is not one of them!"

Fruit Quality and Post harvest

David Rosenberger, Cornell/Hudson Valley Lab plant pathologist gave an overview of post harvest decays: a contributor to lost sales. His results of surveys of 17-20 supermarkets in the Hudson Valley found a 10 to 40% incidence of decay in bagged Empire and McIntosh apples. He surmises factors contributing to the high incidence of rot include:

• there are predominant strains of Penicillium expansum that are resistant to post harvest benzimidazole/DPA combination treatments
• inoculum levels in the field and packinghouse have risen gradually since the early 1990’s
• contaminated field bins are the primary source of recycling decay causing organisms
• P. expansum can invade Empire via stems during long-term CA storage
• airborne inoculum in packing-houses carries spores to apples being packed

Organic Production

Organic apple thinning studies have been carried out by Cornell researchers Jim Schupp and Terence Robinson using NC99 (a calcium/magnesium brine solution) and fish oil + lime sulfur (an extremely smelly solution!). Both were applied during bloom as blossom thinners. A reduction in fruit set and yield (compared to the control) was achieved with only the fish oil + lime sulfur combination. Fruit size was increased with both fish oil + lime sulfur and NC99. But the organic thinners did cause some petal browning and mild leaf spotting.

Cover Crops

Michael Celetti, a plant pathologist with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (OMAFRA) discussed his results of a nematode suppressing cover crop trial. Cover crops included Canadian Forage Pearl Millet 101; Canadian Hybrid Forage Sorghum; Marigold cv. ‘Crackerjack’, and a fallow control. Cover crops were planted in large blocks using grower equipment. At first it appeared the crops were ineffective at reducing lesion nematodes (with the possible exception of Pearl Millet), however, when cover crop stand density and weed exclusion were looked at too, the cover crops Pearl millet and marigolds did indeed suppress lesion nematodes. His conclusion was that in using these two cover crops, a dense stand that excludes weeds needs to happen for nematode suppression and Sorghum in fact may be a nematode host. When marigolds have been planted as a cover crop in Michigan it has been difficult to establish a strong stand on our sandier fruit soils. 

Raspberries

Cornell University small fruit researcher Marvin Pritts showed a video on greenhouse raspberry production, a technique he has been promoting to bring a high value crop to market during the winter season. Raspberries are a cool season crop that adapt perfectly to fruiting in pots in underutilized greenhouses during the winter, although canes are initially planted and grown outside during the previous growing season. Tulameen is the variety of choice to be grown in greenhouses, and yields have been 8-1/2 to 11 pints per plant and the economics are comparable to bedding plant production. In fact, growers are getting up to $4 per half-pint for their fruit. Fruit quality is extremely high as disease and insect pest problems are minimal, however, bees do need to be brought into the greenhouse for pollination.

Dogwood Borers

Borers were a topic of importance considering the large amount of burrknot forming rootstocks (Mark, M.9, M.26) that have been planted in the East in recent years. (Estimated to be 70% of new orchards). As there is clearly a positive correlation with extent of burr knot formation, David Kain, Cornell University entomologist has been studying the incidence and control of both American plum borer (prevalent in western New York) and dogwood borer, a pest of all eastern orchards. His recommendations to avoid dogwood borer problems in apples include:

• keep graft union within 2" or less of the ground level; i.e. plant as deep as you can without running the risk of scion rooting
• plant a more burrknot-resistant rootstock, such as G.16
• mounding of soil around the rootstock/graft union down the row may help but is labor intensive and may promote scion rooting
• paint trunks, burrknots, and exposed rootstock with white latex paint
• manage weeds and avoid mouse guards if possible--shade and humidity encourage burrknot formation
• prebloom trunk sprays (at pink) with Lorsban 50WP may still be worthwhile and provide good efficacy against borers

2001 NORTHWEST MICHIGAN ORCHARD SHOW
It’s the NEW millennium: New Varieties, New Uses, New Markets, New Prices

Date: Tuesday, January 23, and Wednesday, January 24
Location: Grand Traverse Resort, Acme Governor’s Hall 
Registration: $10 per person (over 12)
                 Cherry Industry Luncheon, Jan. 23, $15

Tuesday, January 23 

8:00 a.m. Registration Desk Opens

8:00 - 10:30 Coffee and Rolls Served in Exhibit Hall

8:50 - 9:00 Welcome and Overview 
Rob Manigold, President, Grand Traverse Fruit Growers’ Council

9:00 - 9:30 The Future for Michigan Sweet Cherries
Jim Reynolds, Sr., President, Gray & Co., Forest Grove, Oregon 
Josh Reynolds, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, 
Gray & Co., Forest Grove, Oregon 

9:30 - 10:00 Trends in the Ontario Tender Fruits Industry
Ken Slingerland, Tender Fruits and Grape Specialist, Vineland Station, Ontario

10:00 - 10:30 Break for Exhibits and Refreshments

10:30 - 10:55 West Coast Sweet Cherry Production Trends
Bob Bailey, Grower and Packer, The Dalles, Oregon

10:55 - 11:20 Training System Principles for New Sweet Cherry Varieties and Rootstocks
Greg Lang, Dept. of Horticulture, MSU

11:20 - 12:00 What are the Causes of Soft Tart Cherries?
Jim Nugent, District Horticulturalist, MSU 
Colin Nugent, Research Assistant, Dept. of Horticulture, MSU 
Steve VanNocker, Dept. of Horticulture, MSU

Tuesday Afternoon

Noon- 1:30 Cherry Industry Luncheon
Emcee: Duke Elsner, MSU Extension, Grand Traverse County
Keynote: A Visit to China
George Ing, National Cherry Growers & Industries Foundation

Tuesday Afternoon (concurrent sessions)

1:30 - 2:00 Break for Exhibits

2:00 - 2:20 Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Foundation Annual Meeting
Mike McManus, President

2:20 - 2:40 The Plum Pox Picture in Ontario
Ken Slingerland, Tender Fruits and Grape Specialist, Vineland Station, Ontario

2:40 - 2:50 Plum Pox in Michigan - Results of 2000 Survey Efforts
Gary King, Michigan Department of Agriculture 

2:50 - 3:20 Fungicide Management Strategies
Alan Jones, Dept. of Botany & Plant Pathology, MSU

3:20 - 4:00 Panel: Plum Curculio- A Challenging Pest
Mark Whalon, Dept. of Entomology, MSU 
Larry Gut, Dept. of Entomology, MSU
Gary Thornton, District Fruit IPM Agent, MSU
Moderator: Jim Nugent, District Horticulturist, MSU

4:00 - 4:15 MDA Abandoned Orchard Removal Program
Ernie Abel, Michigan Department of Agriculture

4:15 - 4:30 Objectives of the Balaton Marketing Committee
Jerry Brandt, Grower, Suttons Bay

4:30 - 6:00 Social Hour in the Exhibit Hall
Featuring Food and Wines from Northwest Michigan

Concurrent on Tuesday Afternoon: Grape and Wine Session

2:00 - 2:30 Research Projects in SW Michigan
Tom Zabadal, Director, Southwest Michigan Research & Extension Center, MSU

2:30 - 2:50 Grape and Wine Projects at the Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Station
Duke Elsner, Extension Agriculture Agent, Grand Traverse County, MSU

2:50 - 3:20 Grape Berry Moth - A Potential Problem for Northwest Michigan
Rufus Isaacs, Dept. of Entomology, MSU

3:20 - 3:50 Vineyard & Winery Start-Up Questions & Concerns in the 2000's
Tom Zabadal, Director, Southwest Michigan Research & Extension Center, MSU Lee Lutes, Winemaker, Black Star Farms

3:50 - 4:10 Ontario Grape and Wine Production Trends
Ken Slingerland, Tender Fruits and Grape Specialist, Vineland Station, Ontario

4:10 - 4:30 Are Northern Michigan Red Wines for Real?
David Stocking, Spartan Cellars, Dept. of Horticulture, MSU 

4:30 - 6:00 Social Hour in the Exhibit Hall

Featuring Food and Wines from Northwest Michigan

Tuesday Evening 

6:30 - 9:00 Balaton Growers Meeting
Governor’s Hall

6:30 - 9:00 Tasting of Cabernet Franc Wines
Council Room (limited seating - by invitation only) 

Wednesday, January 24:

8:00 - 10:30 Coffee and Rolls Served in Exhibit Hall

Cherry Marketing Institute Annual Meeting

9:00 - 9:30 Welcome and Overview
Phil Korson, President, CMI

9:30 - 10:00 German Export Promotions and U.S. Retail Activities
Joe Lothamer, Promotion Director, CMI

10:00 - 10:30 Break

10:30 - 11:00 National Cherry Festival Activities to Promote Cherries
Chuck O'Connor and Susan Olson, National Cherry Festival

11:00 - 11:30 U.S. Cherry Promotion Activities
Jane Baker, Marketing Director, CMI

11:30 - 12:00 Red Tart Cherries and Melatonin for Great Taste and Better Health
Dr. Russ Reiter, University of Texas Medical School
Wednesday Afternoon 
12:00 - 12:30 Break for Exhibits

12:30 - 2:00 Cherry Marketing Institute Luncheon
(free to cherry growers)
Speaker: Mr. Eloy Trevino, Marketing & Supply Chain Management, MSU

2:10 - 2:30 A Preliminary View of the 2001 Tart Cherry Market Situation
Don Ricks, Dept. of Agricultural Economics, MSU

2:30 - 3:00 Visions of the Processed Fruit Industry
Dennis Mullen, President and CEO, Agrilink Foods Inc., Rochester, New York

3:00 - 4:30 Processor & CEO Forum on Economics, Grower Pricing and the Future
Moderator: Don Ricks, Dept. of Agricultural Economics, MSU
Roy Hackert, Mason County Fruit Packers Coop
Don Nugent, Graceland Fruit Inc.
Earl Peterson, Peterson Farms Cooperative
Bill Sherman, Burnette Foods, Inc.

4:30 – 4:45 Wrap-Up
Jordan Tatter, Hanson Cold Storage