Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Station

August 2007 Regional Fruit Grower Newsletter

8/14/2007Open House for New Leelanau Co. CED
Leland
8/15High Tunnels Twilight Meeting
SW Mich Res and Extension Center, Benton Harbor
8/23MAEAP Phase I Educational Session
NWMHRS
8/23NW Mi Hort Res Station Open House & Equipment Show
NWMHRS
8/31Pesticide Container Recyling Program Ends
9/25Trevor Nichols Field Day
Fennville, MI
9/27Clean Sweep Collection
Traverse City
12/4 - 6Great Lakes EXPO
Fruit, Vegetable & Farm Market
Grand Rapids, MI
1/14 -1/17/2008NW Mi Orchard & Vineyard Show
Grand Traverse Resort, Acme

OPEN HOUSE FOR NEW LEELANAU COUNTY EXTENSION DIRECTOR

You're invited!

MSU Extension will host an Open House to welcome the new Leelanau County Extension Director, Dr. Robert Sirrine on Tuesday, August 14. The event is open to the public. Dr. Sirrine succeeds Jim Bardenhagen who retired in February.

Dr. Sirrine is originally from Traverse City. He completed his Bachelor's Degree at the University of Michigan. He attended the University of California Santa Cruz where he earned his Ph.D. in Environmental Studies with a focus in Agroecology. His background includes teaching, fruit production and sustainable agriculture.

The Open House will be held from 2-4 pm at the county's River Office Building, 112 Chandler Street, Leland.

We hope you will join us in welcoming Robert to our organization and community.

NOTE FROM NEW LEELANAU COUNTY EXTENSION DIRECTOR

Hello Grower/Producer,

My name is Robert Sirrine, the new Leelanau County Extension Director and I wanted to take the opportunity to briefly introduce myself to the agricultural community. I was raised in Traverse City and grew up working in for several cherry growers over the years during harvest time. This experience and the outstanding natural resources we have in northern Michigan led me to pursue a B.S. in Resource Ecology and Management from the University of Michigan and a Ph.D. in Environmental Studies (Agroecology) from the University of California Santa Cruz. For my dissertation, I researched Social and Ecological Issues in Tart Cherry Production here in northern Michigan. I was fortunate enough to return to the area every summer and am pleased to now call Leelanau County my permanent home.

I am already enjoying the perks of the job-I just returned from the Leland Farmers Market where I chatted with farmers, purchased some freshly picked plums, and even learned a new recipe for cooking Bok Choy believe it or not. In addition to the many area farmers markets, my wife Dorothy and our two boys have been taking advantage of the great festivals, events, and beaches in the area as well.

I am very excited to work hand in hand with the excellent Extension staff here in Leelanau County and folks at the Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Station to provide answers to questions you may have (or at least guide you in the right direction!). I look forward to meeting you and learning as much as possible as I slowly ease into Jim’s well-worn office chair. Please stop by the office if you are in Leland or give a call.

Cordially,

Robert Sirrine

JOIN US FOR THE 2007 NWMHRS ANNUAL OPEN HOUSE!!!
Nikki Rothwell, District Horticulturist
Bill Klein, Farm Manager

The Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Station Open House will be held on August 23, 2007. This year the Leelanau Horticultural Society will be hosting an equipment show at the Open House, which will begin at 1:00 pm. A plum variety showcase will also be featured this year with Dr. Mira Danilovich, District Horticultural Educator, MSUE, on hand to talk about new varieties that are looking promising for Michigan. We will have different plum varieties on tables to taste, and we will also take a walk through the trees to look at growth habits for the different varieties. The plum showcase will run from 2:00-2:30. The educational sessions will begin at 3:30, and this year we will be discussing sweet cherry varieties, and new research on American brown rot and powdery mildew in cherry. We will also be featuring our latest work in powdery mildew in wine grapes. Following the educational sessions, we will have a wine and juice tasting at 5:15, and dinner will be served at 6:00 pm. The cost for the dinner is $12, and tickets can be purchased prior to the event at the Leelanau County Extension office by contacting Annette at 231-256-9888 or tickets can be purchased at the door.

Open House sponsors include the Michigan Agricultural Experiment Station, MSU Extension, the Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Foundation, and the Leelanau Horticultural Society. In addition, the Station appreciates the great support of Michigan fruit industry organizations, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and the Michigan Agriculture Commission, USDA and the agribusiness community.

 

Dinner Tickets Form - NW Michigan Horticultural Research Station Open House

Name_____________________________________Phone_________________________

No. of Tickets _______ x $12 = __________

Please make check payable to Leelanau Horticultural Society
and mail to: P.O. Box 987, Leland, MI 49654

MAEAP EDUCATIONAL SESSION
Dan Busby, Michigan Groundwater Stewardship Program

We have scheduled a MAEAP Phase I Educational Session for Thursday, August 23, from 9:00 - 12:00, with lunch and a quick on-site tour of two MAEAP Verified Farms, the Northwest Michigan Horticultural Research Station and Cherry View Farms. This session will highlight information on solid set irrigation systems management, yet satisfy MAEAP Phase I attendance requirements. (Attendance required for MAEAP verification)

Tom Fernandez - Irrigation Specialist at MSU's Horticulture Department will review Solid Set Irrigation system management including calibration, uniformity and record keeping requirements.

Michigan Agriculture Environmental Assurance Program

Phase I Educational Session

Northwest Michigan Horticulture Research Station

Thursday, August 23, 2007

Facilitator: Jim Bardenhagen, Jim Bardenhagen Farms

Sponsor: Michigan Groundwater Stewardship Program and Partners

9:00 Welcome and Introductions  - Jim Bardenhagen, Secretary Leelanau Horticulture Society

9:10 MAEAP for your Farm  - Tom Young, MAEAP Verification Specialist, MDA

9:45 Cost-Effective Containment  - Randy Snyder, Environmental Specialist North American Lining Services

9:55 Record Keeping Requirements  - Dan Busby, Groundwater Program Conservation District

10:05 BREAK

10:15 Solid Set Irrigation Systems  - Tom Fernandez, Associate Professor Michigan State University

11:30 MAEAP Testimonial - Don Gregory, Cherry Bay Orchards
                                                    Scott Emeott, Cherry View Farms

11:45 Closing Statements Jim Bardenhagen, Jim Bardenhagen Farms and Leelanau Horticulture Society

RUP Credit information,

12:00 LUNCH (Free to participants) Salmon provided by the Busby Family
Salmon Boil Lunch Potatoes provided by Bardenhagen Family

12:30- MAEAP Tour - Scott Emeott, Cherry View Farms
                                         Bill Klein, NWMHRS

RECYCLE YOUR PESTICIDE CONTAINERS

The Michigan Groundwater Stewardship Program and your local agri-business are sponsoring a Pesticide Container Collection. You can drop of your properly rinsed and cleaned pesticide containers during normal business hours at Hamilton Agronomy, Wilbur Ellis, and UAP Great Lakes. Containers will be accepted through the month of August at collection locations. We recycle an average of over 2,500 pounds of containers a year – lets keep it up.

All 2.5 gallon containers and smaller are accepted. Please remove caps, remove excess foil wrap from top of container, remove plastic labels, and containers must be triple or power rinsed. Large plastic bags are available at your chemical dealer for your recycling convenience.

If you have larger pesticide containers (5 gallon buckets and mini-bulks) that you need assistance in recycling, please call Dan Busby at 941-0960

HIGH TUNNELS TWILIGHT MEETING

High tunnels are low-cost greenhouses that are gaining popularity for production of a large range of crops worldwide. A twilight meeting and research plot tour is scheduled for 6:00 pm on Wednesday, August 15, at the Southwest Michigan Research and Extension Center in Benton Harbor, MI. Anyone interested in how high tunnels can be used to increase produce quality or yields, reduce chemical pesticide inputs, and/or modify harvest seasons for berries, sweet cherries, vegetables, and even cut flowers are welcome. MSU researchers and extension educators will be on hand to discuss the Project GREEEN-funded research trials on production systems for various high value crops under Haygrove high tunnels. To reach the Center, take exit 30 off I-94 (Napier Avenue), travel east on Napier for 2 1/2 miles to Hillandale Road.  Turn south (right) and travel to the entrance to SWMREC (about 1/4 mile). For additional directions call 269-944-1477.

What to do if you have Ethrel damage?!?
Nikki Rothwell, District Horticulturist, MSUE

A lot of Ethrel damage has been showing up in the past few weeks in the northwest. This injury has come as a result of highly stressed trees, most from drought stress. However, we have seen San Jose scale on some sweet cherries in certain areas, and these insects have put more stress on trees. This stress is then compounded when we apply Ethrel, especially under hot temperatures. Injured trees have lots of leaf yellowing and leaf drop, and there is excess gummosis in affected trees. The gummosis is often clear, and it can be anywhere on the tree--branches, trunks, and branch angles.

Figure 1. Yellowing of leaves

 

 Figure 2. Gummosis on trunk

 

Figure 3. Yellowing of leaves and branch dieback

Since the damage has already happened, we need to have a plan on how to keep these trees as healthy as possible. First, growers should avoid pruning until dormancy. We need to make sure these trees have all possible resources heading into winter, and pruning off any branches and leaves at this time will reduce the trees’ ability to make these resources. Therefore, growers should save pruning efforts until trees are in dormancy. When growers do prune in dormancy, they should be sure to give the trees an extra hard pruning. This method will remove some of next year’s fruiting area, and it will place the resources into fewer fruiting points and keep the majority of resources in the tree rather than fruit.

We also want to make sure to reduce any potential stress on the trees. We want to maintain good weed control, and we need to have good cherry leaf spot control as we do not want any premature leaf drop this season. Even though we have had had little rain and very low disease pressure, a post-harvest Bravo application is warranted if trees are showing Ethrel damage. Another reason a disease spray should be used is due to a long post-harvest period, as harvest ended so early this year. Also, mite thresholds have dropped in situations where trees are showing Ethrel damage and drought related symptoms. Trees that have been damaged by Ethrel cannot tolerate high mite populations. The threshold for mites on sweet cherries is usually around 30 mites/leaf in normal years, but sweets suffering from Ethrel damage have had their thresholds decrease to 5-7 mites/leaf. If this threshold is reached, a miticide is needed.

Lastly, a fertilizer application may be warranted in orchards where nutrients are needed. Growers should not apply any extra nitrogen this fall, except where it is needed. The rates suggested at this time are 100-120 lbs. actual N in spring or a split application in spring and fall of 50-60 lbs. We also need a good dose of potash this fall if potassium levels are low.

Predicted Peak 2007 apple harvest dates
Philip Schwallier, District Horticulture Agent, CHES Coordinator
Amy Irish-Brown, District ICM Agent, CHES

Apple maturity for 2007 is expected to be a week to 12 days ahead of normal for most of the state. Most of the state experienced an early end of winter. As a result, bud growth developed across the state with an early bloom in all areas. This year however, the south part of the state was damaged by a severe freeze in early April. Bloom was extended and fruits did not set well on older wood. Many areas have an apple crop born of 1 year old wood, which bloom later than our recorded bloom dates. Predicted dates in the southern part of the state are less accurate than most years for this reason. Also, there was an extended bloom which also contributes a less accurate prediction. Also, there is quite a variation in crop load. Trees with light crop loads will mature early than these predicted dates. Heavy cropped trees will mature after these predicted dates.

The early bloom and weather following bloom, give us predicted harvest dates (Table 1.) as much as 14 days ahead of normal. These predicted harvest dates are for the center or peak harvest of these varieties for CA storage. This year the 2007 predicted harvest dates are compared to the rough normal harvest dates and last year's predicted harvest dates. This year the state will harvest apples roughly 5 to 7 days ahead of last year (Table 2).

Hot temperatures during July and August will hasten the maturity of some varieties. Gala is notorious for ripening early when late summer temperatures are above normal. Other varieties are less prone to hot temperatures advancing fall maturity. Still other varieties ripen when cold temperatures occur at near harvest time.

The normal harvest dates for other varieties are listed in Table 3 for the Grand Rapids area. This year's 2006 predicted dates are a rough estimate based on the McIntosh, Jonathan and Red Delicious predicted dates. Other areas of the state should adjust non-predicted varieties based on their own history.

Table 1. 2007 predicted peak harvest dates.

Full bloom date

Predicted harvest date

 

Station

McIntosh

Jons

Reds

McIntosh

Jons

Reds

Observer

SWMREC

4-30

5-2

5-2

8-27

9-15

9-21

Shane

Deerfield

5-5

5-6

5-8

9-1

9-15

9-22

Tritten

Flint

5-5

5-5

5-7

9-3

9-12

9-19

Tritten

Peach Ridge

5-5

5-7

5-8

9-1

9-19

9-26

Schwallier

Ludington

5-9

5-11

5-10

9-14

9-21

9-27

Danilovich

NWMHRS

5-11

5-11

5-11

9-9

9-18

9-24

Rothwell


Table 2. 2007 predicted peak harvest dates compared to normal and last year.

Days ahead of normal

Days ahead of last year

Station

McIntosh

Jons

Reds

McIntosh

Jons

Reds

SWMREC

13

6

7

8

5

8

Deerfield

7

6

8

0

5

5

Flint

7

13

13

0

11

10

Peach Ridge

11

9

10

4

4

4

Ludington

2

12

15

1

11

13

NWMHRS

11

9

9

1

14

14

 
Table 3. Normal peak harvest dates for varieties for the Grand Rapids area.

Variety

Normal date

2007 predicted date

Paulared

8-24

8-14

Gingergold

8-26

8-14

Gala

9-10

8-28

McIntosh

9-15

9-1

Honeycrisp

9-18

9-4

Empire

9-22

9-8

Jonathan

9-28

9-19

Jonagold

9-28

9-19

Golden Delicious

10-2

9-21

Red Delicious

10-5

9-26

Idared

10-10

10-2

Rome

10-15

10-7

Fuji

10-25

10-18

Braeburn

10-25

10-18

Goldrush

11-1

10-22

 

CLEAN SWEEP COLLECTION SCHEDULED FOR SEPTEMBER

The Grand Traverse County Resource Recovery office and the Michigan Groundwater Stewardship Program are holding a Clean Sweep collection on September 27, 2007.

Clean Sweep is the proper disposal of old farm pesticides and is funded by the Michigan Groundwater Stewardship Program. Clean Sweep is FREE to all Michigan residence. Please call the GT County Recycling Hotline at 941-5555 to schedule a time for this upcoming collection. This collection is during the GT County Household Hazardous Waste collection. The Clean Sweep collections have collected and properly disposed of over 1,000,000 pounds of pesticides since the 1990’s!!!

ste the Local Difference is part of the Michigan Land

New Website to Link up Farmers!

The Michigan Land Use Institute has started a new website that is similar to a dating service—they are looking to connect farmers or those that have land available for farming. New growers can look at this website for land or older growers can look to sell their land to other farmers. They also hope that this website will contain farming news and events in Michigan as well as provide links to experts in financial and land conservation in order to preserve farmland in our region. If you would like to check out this new resource, go to http://www.localdifference.org/getfarming/

Please send any comments or suggestions regarding this site to:
Bill Klein, kleinw@msu.edu

Last Revised: 8-07-07
Last Updated: August 7, 2007
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