May 2008 Regional Fruit Grower Newsletter
| 5/9 | Grape IPM Update Old Mission Peninsula |
| 5/10 | Season Extension Methods For Veg & Fruit Black Star Farms |
| 5/13 | Tree Fruit IPM Updates Begin Antrim Co. 11 -1 pm |
| 5/13 | Tree Fruit IPM Updates Begin Benzie Co. 3 - 5 pm |
| 5/13 | Backyard Fruit Tree Workshop NWMHRS |
| 5/14 | Tree Fruit IPM Updates Begin Leelanau Co. 1 - 3 pm |
| 5/14 | Tree Fruit IPM Updates Begin Grand Traverse Co. 4 - 6 pm |
| 5/16 | USDA Conservation Security Program Applications Due |
| 5/21 | Garden Maintenance and Tools NWMHRS |
| 5/27 | No-Till Gardening Near Leland |
| 5/30 - 6/1 | Michigan Master Woodland Steward Program Higgins Lake, MI |
| 6/5 | Deadline for Disaster Loans |
| 6/6 | Grape IPM Update Shady Lane Cellars, Leelanau Co. |
| 6/17 - 6/28 | Youth Tractor Safety Training NWMHRS |
| 6/28 - 29 | Sleeping Bear Dunes Barn Restoration Workshop Port Oneida Rural Historic District |
| 7/11 | Grape IPM Update L. Mawby Vineyards, Leelanau Co. |
| 8/8 | Grape IPM Update NWMHRS |
| 8/21 | NWMHRS Open House |
| 8/23 | Equipment Auction |
IPM GRAPE AND TREE FRUIT MEETING SCHEDULE
Erin Lizotte, IFP/IPM Educator
The IPM grape and tree fruit meetings are once again about to begin. The format will be similar to those in past years. Meetings will focus on emerging pest and disease issues as well as relevant events in the industry. As always, pesticide recertification credits will be available. Please see the information below for details on your local meeting. We hope to see you there!
Dates for Tree Fruit IPM Updates
Leelanau County
Location: Jim and Jan Bardenhagen Farm, Pertner Road, Suttons Bay
Dates: May 14, May 21, May 28, June 4, June 11, June 18, June 25
Time: 1-3pm
Grand Traverse County
Location: Josh Wunsch Farm, Old Mission Peninsula, Phelps Road, Traverse City
Dates: May 14, May 21, May 28, June 4, June 11, June 18, June 25
Time: 4-6pm
Benzie County
Location: Putney Farms, 4290 Joyfield Road, Frankfurt
Dates: May 13, May 27, June 10, June 24
Time: 3-5pm
Antrim County
Location: Jack White Farm, M-31, just south of Elk Rapids on the right, Elk Rapids
Dates: May 13, May 27, June 10, June 24
Time: 11-1pm
GRAPE IPM UPDATES FOR 2008
Erin Lizotte, IFP/IPM District Educator NWMHRS
It’s time again for the "First Friday" IPM grape updates. This year we are trying out a new format to best utilize our time with visiting MSU faculty. Each meeting will include pest and disease information as in previous years, but this year each session will also focus on an area of interest to our grape growers. The first meeting will be held at Len Ligon’s vineyard on Old Mission on May 9th and will include an emphasis on horticultural practices with Dr. Paolo Sabbatini. We will meet again on June 6th at the Shady Lane Vineyard on Shady Lane with Dr. Rufus Isaacs. This meeting will highlight entomological concerns facing growers. On July 11th we will meet at Larry Mawby’s vineyard on S. Elm Valley Rd south of Suttons Bay, with special consideration of pathology with Dr. Annemiek Schilder. The last update will take place on August 8th at the NW Michigan Horticultural Research Station where we will discuss a new workbook for evaluating agricultural sustainability. The final meeting will be followed by an end of season potluck that we hope you can all attend! Sessions will be 3:00-5:00 p.m.
VISITING SCIENTIST TO SPEND FIELD SEASON AT RESEARCH STATION
Nikki Rothwell, District Horticulturist
Beginning in May, you will see another new face at the research
station. Dr. Diane Alston will be spending the field season in
northern Michigan as a visiting scientist. Dr. Alston is from Utah
State University where she currently serves as the Utah Extension
Integrated Pest Management Coordinator at the Utah Agricultural
Experiment Station in Logan, Utah. Utah grows tart cherries in two
regions in the state, and Dr. Alston has served as the primary tart
cherry entomologist for the Utah cherry industry for over 20 years.
Her current research projects include biological control of plum
curculio with entomopathogenic nematodes; manipulations of orchard
habitat diversity through ground cover management; discovery of
mechanisms involved in an interaction between two orchard pests: spider
mites and powdery mildew; and evaluation of new tree fruit IPM
technologies. Dr. Alston has also been involved with the tart cherry
orchard management (RAMP) project, where she has contributed to our
understanding of plum curculio and cherry fruit fly in tart cherry
systems. While in Michigan, she plans to continue to focus on plum
curculio and cherry fruit fly in collaboration with station and MSU
campus researchers. We are excited to have such a knowledgeable
researcher and a great cooperator joining us for the 2008 season.
Please stop by the station and meet Dr. Alston!
ATTENTION ALL CHERRY GROWERS!
Dr. Nikki Rothwell, District Horticulturist
We have rolled out a new cherry website for this season. Although this website is currently under construction, we have been working hard to make sure to have some of our more valuable information up on the site. At the current time, we have MSU-based resources in many different websites, and our intention is to concentrate all of our cherry-related resources into one on-line location—a one-stop shopping spot for cherry information! Please check us out on the web at www.cherries.msu.edu. We are also interested in your feedback, so please do not hesitate to give us your two cents at rothwel3@msu.edu. Also, look forward to an apple website in the near future.
Recommended Density of Honeybee Colonies for Michigan Crops
Crop Colony/acre Notes
Apple 1-3 Dwarf varieties > hives
Sweet cherry 1-2
Tart Cherry 1 Balaton may need more
Pear/plum/peach 1
Blueberry 3 Cultivars vary
Cranberry 3
Raspberry/strawberry 1
Tuesdays & Thursdays,
June 17, 19, 24, 26
from 6 – 9 pm and
Saturday, June 28
from 8 am – 3 pm
Cost for the program is $60. If finances are an issue, please ask us about available scholarships.
Participants must attend all five sessions, pass a written test, and pass a tractor driving test. This class will also cover safety on other types of small engines and farm tools.
Registration deadline is Friday, June 6. Space is limited.
Contact MSU Extension at 231-256-9888 for more information or for a registration form.
MSU EXTENSION GREEN GARDENING SERIES
Season Extension
Methods for Vegetables & Fruit
9:00-11:00 AM
Saturday, May 10, 2008, at
Black Star Farms near Suttons Bay
Learn several different techniques to both
earlier harvest and wintertime gardening.
Black Star Farm Manager, Nic Welty will
demonstrate basic use of the passive solar
hoop house; low tunnel season extension;
using mulch to warm the soil; and
discuss the keys to specific crop needs
and temperature tolerances. Different color
of plastic mulches will be on hand to demonstrate their
abilities to warm the soil and produce earlier crops —as
well as some mulches that aid in keeping the soil
cool to grow cold season crops later into
the summertime. The cost is $5 per person,
with a registration deadline of May 8th.
Advanced registration required. To register, mail a
Green Garden Registration form posted at
www.msue.msu.edu/leelanau
w/payment to: MSU Extension-Leelanau,
8527 E. Government Center Dr., Suite
107, Suttons Bay, MI 49682. Call Pam
Schmidt at 231-256-9888 with any questions.
Tues., May 13, 2008: 6:00-8:30 PM, at the NW Mich.
Horticultural Research Station w/Steve Fouch,
MSUE-Benzie County Extension Director
Topics to be addressed in the workshop include: variety
selection; selection of rootstocks; planting tips; tree
nutrition; proper training of young trees and early care;
insect and disease control (conventional and organic);
pruning; and protection from wildlife. The cost of the
workshop includes handouts as well as one semi dwarf
honey crisp apple tree.
The registration deadlineis May 7th. Cost: $30 per person.
Advanced registration required. Register by 5/09/08.
To register, mail a Green Garden Registration form posted at
www.msue.msu.edu/leelanau
w/payment to: MSU Extension-Leelanau,
8527 E. Government Center Dr., Suite
107, Suttons Bay, MI 49682. Call Pam
Schmidt at 231-256-9888 with any questions.
Wed., May 21, 2008: 6:30-8:00 PM, at the NW Mich.
Horticultural Research Station w/ Deb Burge &
Gabby Thompson, Advanced Master Gardeners
Even if you love to weed, we will teach you methods for
minimizing weeds without using chemical controls.
Learn simple pruning techniques and how to deadhead
flowers for repeat bloom. Discussion will include a few
simple tools to purchase and some to avoid, record
keeping and simple recycled materials to use for making
a cold frame, seed starting trays and compost bins.
Cost: $5 per person. Advanced registration required.
Register by 5/19/08. To register, mail a
Green Garden Registration form posted at
www.msue.msu.edu/leelanau
w/payment to: MSU Extension-Leelanau,
8527 E. Government Center Dr., Suite
107, Suttons Bay, MI 49682. Call Pam
Schmidt at 231-256-9888 with any questions.
Tues., May 27, 2008: 6:00-7:30 PM, near Leland
w/ Richard Allen, Experienced Gardener
Visit the garden of Richard Allen, who has been working
for years to refine his approach to backyard food
production – all with minimal disturbance to the soil.
"No-Till" gardening means gardening without using
traditional methods (e.g. rotor-tilling) of turning the soil
prior to planting. Learn about a tool called a broad fork
that aerates the soil with minimal disturbance to soil
structure, resulting in productive, weed-free vegetable
gardens. Also covered will be the use of compost,
mulch, landscape fabric, and cover crops in developing
productive gardens that need minimal weeding and
irrigation. Dress to be outdoors. Directions provided
upon registration. Cost: $5 per person. Advanced
registration required. Register by 5/23/08. To register,
mail a Green Garden Registration form posted at
www.msue.msu.edu/leelanau
w/payment to: MSU Extension-Leelanau,
8527 E. Government Center Dr., Suite
107, Suttons Bay, MI 49682. Call Pam
Schmidt at 231-256-9888 with any questions.
WHEN THE GROWING SEASON BEGINS, THE CROP ADVISORY TEAM ALERT FOLLOWS
The Crop Advisory Team (CAT) Alert
newsletter has begun publishing its 2008 season. Offering pest
management advice from March to September, the newsletter highlights
concerns that may be happening on your farm or nursery. With five
editions available, there is something for everyone. You can choose
from landscape and nursery, fruit, field crops, vegetables or
greenhouse, as well as whether to read a print or Internet format.
If you have a computer, you can read for free by picking your edition at: http://www.ipm.msu.edu/aboutcat.htm
If you would rather have a print subscription, it only costs $35 and
includes all issues regardless of when you subscribed in the season.
For more information or a subscription form, please call 517-353-4703
or visit our web site listed above.
CHERRY PILOT CROP INSURANCE APPROVED
Dr. Nikki Rothwell, District Horticulturist
The sweet cherry pilot crop insurance program was
approved by the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC). The
reimbursements will be for the 2009 year. If you have further
questions about this program or need more information, please contact
Dennis Janusick, Risk Management Specialist at (217) 241-6600 ext. 101.
AUCTION TO BE HELD AT RESEARCH STATION
Dr. Nikki Rothwell, District Horticulturist
On Saturday, August 23rd 2008, the Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Foundation will host an auction to raise money to continue cutting edge research here in northwest Michigan. We are looking for items to be included in the auction, which can either be on a consignment basis or an outright donation. If decided to consign a piece of equipment, the research foundation will receive 20% of the proceeds, the auctioneer 10%, and the consignee will collect 70% of the hammer price. For donations, ninety percent of the price will go to the foundation to support research, lest 10% to the auctioneer. We are looking for farm and other types of equipment, antiques, collectables, and any other quality pieces. If you have questions or are interested in donating an item, please call Jeff Winegard at 231-348-8273 or Dennis Kubesh at 231-228-6667. If you do not have items to donate, but love a good auction, please join us in August.
NAME CHANGE FOR NOVA
Dr. Nikki Rothwell, District Horticulturist
The Dow AgroSciences fungicide Nova has been renamed Rally. One bag of Rally 40WSP contains five 4oz water soluble packets of myclobuntanil 40W, which is a bit different from one bag of Nova that contained four 5oz water soluble packets. This difference is the only one—the active ingredients are exactly the same as only the name has changed. Rally was the trade name for Nova in the west.
CHANGES FOR INSECTICIDE LABELS IN CHERRY
Dr. Nikki Rothwell, District Horticulturist
- Actara® label has been expanded: we can now use a total of 11oz/acre/season, which is increased from 8oz in years’ past.
- Assail® has a new label on cherry: the recommended rate for plum curculio is 5.3-8oz/acre, and the total amount of product that can be used is 16oz/acre/season.
- DelegateTM has a new label on cherry: this product can be used up to 4x/season. The recommended rates are 4.5-7oz/acre for obliquebanded leafroller, cherry fruit fly, and green fruitworm. The label says this product suppressed plum curculio at 6-7oz/acre. This product has not yet been extensively tested in cherry.
- Avuant® received a label on cherry in July 2007, which has activity on plum curculio at 6-7oz./acre.
- Guthion®: 2007-2009: 3lbs product/acre (1.5lbai)/acre/year and down to 1.5lbs product/acre (0.75lb ai)/acre/year in 2010-2012.
CLARIFICATION OF THE PREHARVEST INTERVAL FOR INDAR 2F
Erin Lizotte, IFP/IPM District Educator
Dow representatives have been receiving calls concerning the pre-harvest interval (PHI) of their new fungicide, Indar 2F. In stone fruit, the PHI for Indar 2F (flowable) is the same as the Indar WSP (water soluble), which is up to the day of harvest. The 14-day PHI in apple applications may have caused this confusion.
CLARIFICATION OF LORSBAN USE ON APPLES
Erin Lizotte, IFP/IPM District Educator
There are a couple of announcements regarding Lorsban use this season. The first change is that EPA regulations only allow for one application per year. After speaking with some area growers, it became clear that not everyone was aware of this regulation and there may have been confusion over the label. I talked to a DOW representative who thought the confusion may have been caused by differences in dormancy definitions for different chlorpyrifos products. Lorsban 4E is prohibited post bloom because of phytotoxicity issues. The label also specifies that you may not use more than 4 pints of Lorsban 4E per acre, per season as a dormant/delayed dormant application. The label states that only one application is allowed in the dormant stage (the only acceptable time for apple application). Lorsban 75W may be applied until petal fall. Only one application of any one chlorpyrifos product is allowed per season.
The second announcement is regarding growers who work with Gerber. Gerber will be allowing the use of chlorpyrifos on apples grown east of the Mississippi River, through petal fall, per the current label guidelines.
SEASONAL FRUIT INFORMATION
Nikki Rothwell, District Fruit IPM Educator
The code-a-phone will be up and running again for the 2008 season, and it will be updated every Tuesday and Friday or more frequently if needed. To access this information, dial 231-947-3063. Press 1 for stone fruit information and 2 for pome fruit information and 3 for grape information. Thanks to the area horticulture societies for supporting this program.
FruitNet will also be available for 2008 by email or fax for NW Michigan fruit growers. This weekly information is compiled by area extension educators and sent out through the NWMHRS. Past subscribers will remain on the list, but contact the NWMHRS (231-946-1510) to be added to, or removed from, the subscription list. Thanks again to our local horticulture societies for their support.
60 Hour Weather Forecast, which is a weather forecast tool for the Grand Traverse region that predicts weather in 3-hour increments, is also on hand this season. This information can be obtained through the internet at http://www.agweather.geo.msu.edu/agwx/forecasts/fcst.asp?fileid=fous14ktvc or a grower can subscribe to receive this information via email. Please contact the NWMHRS (231-946-1510) to sign up for the emailed version. This will also be available at the new MSU IPM/weather site, Enviroweather at http://www.enviroweather.msu.edu/home_map.asp
SIGN UP TODAY FOR THE CONSERVATION SECURITY PROGRAM (CSP)
CSP is a voluntary conservation program and has a unique role among USDA programs. It identifies and rewards those farmers and ranchers who meet the highest standards of conservation and environmental management on their operations. It creates powerful incentives for other producers to meet those same standards of conservation performance on their operations, and provides public benefits for generations to come.
Only landowners and producers in designated watersheds are eligible to sign-up for CSP. In Michigan, six watersheds have been designated since 2004 and 574 Michigan producers were accepted into the program. As funding becomes available, NRCS announces the addition of new watersheds into the program.
The Boardman River/Charlevoix River Watershed has been selected to participate in the 2008 CSP sign-up. More information about the sign-up can be found on the Boardman Charlevoix River Watershed Web page http://www.mi.nrcs.usda.gov/programs/csp.html.
Many agricultural producers in Leelanau, Grand Traverse, Antrim and Charlevoix Counties are eligible to sign up for this rewarding Farm Bill program. The CSP sign up period is April 18 – May 16, only two weeks left! Agricultural producers that have signed up to date are receiving anywhere from $60 - $80 per acre on lands enrolled into the program!
Call your local NRCS office for more details and to set up a pre-interview appointment:
-Traverse City USDA-NRCS Service Center 941-0951 ext. 103
-Bellaire USDA-NRCS Service Center at 533-8709 ext. 101
LEELANAU FARMERS’ MARKETS
Rob Sirrine, Leelanau MSU Extension Director
The Leelanau Farmers Markets will soon be starting their eighth season! The markets present a great opportunity for farmers to market fresh produce and locally made products directly to the consumer. Products and produce sold at the Leelanau Farmers’ Markets must be grown or produced within 60 miles of the Leelanau Farmers’ Market sold where the produce is at. With this rule in mind, some locations in neighboring counties may be eligible.
There will again be four markets - one in Empire (downtown near the Post Office), one in Leland (parking lot across from The Bluebird), one in Glen Arbor (behind the township hall) and one in Suttons Bay (corner of Broadway & Lincoln). The dates and hours of operation will be as follows:
Suttons Bay: Saturdays May 17 - October 18 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Empire: Saturdays June 14 - September 27 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
Leland: Thursdays June 19 - September 4 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Glen Arbor: Tuesdays June 17 - September 2 9:00 am - 1:00 pm
For market rules, eligibility and application form go the Leelanau Farmers Markets website at www.leelanau.cc/farmersmarkets.asp or call the Leelanau MSU Extension office at 231-256-9888.
The park will again be hosting a barn restoration workshop on June 28-29 in the Port Oneida Rural Historic District. This year marks the 12th anniversary of the partnership between the Michigan Barn Preservation Network and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in developing this series of "hands-on" workshops. This year’s workshop will be held at the Lawr Barn on M-22 and Basch Road, approximately 5 miles north of Glen Arbor. The park and the Michigan Barn Preservation Network are providing the skilled labor to put on the workshop.
For more information, contact Kimberly Mann, park historical architect, at 231/326-5135, ext. 501 or sign up by email: Kimberly_mann@nps.gov.
The 2008 Michigan Master Woodland Steward Program
May 30 to June 1, 2008
Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center
Higgins Lake, Michigan
Sponsored by
Michigan State University Extension and Department of Forestry
Michigan Department of Natural Resources
The Master Woodland Steward program is an intensive training course for those who own, or are interested in, wooded lands and want to become better stewards of forest resources.
As a Master Woodland Steward, you will learn about:
- the forest’s role in Michigan’s environmental and economic health
- forest stewardship planning
- identifying common Michigan tree species
- common forest pests and diseases
- management techniques for woodlands and wildlife
- getting the most out of a woodland while maintaining it for future generations
- state and federal programs for forest landowners
To complete the Master Woodland Steward program and receive your certification, you must complete a special forestry-related project in your community or contribute 30 volunteer hours to woodland management education efforts over a 12-month period.
Enrollment for this special program is limited, so register soon.
All sessions will take place at the Ralph A. MacMullan Conference Center on Higgins Lake, and will include indoor and outdoor experiences. Instructors include Michigan State University forestry specialists and woodland management experts. In addition to the educational sessions, you will take home two high-quality reference books and other informational materials.
For more information contact:
|
Russell Kidd |
Dean Solomon |
Bill Klein, kleinw@msu.edu
Last Revised: 5-1-08
Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Station
6686 S. Center Hwy • Traverse City, Michigan 49684
Tel: 231/946-1510 Fax: 231/946-1404