Crop Management
California delegation to visit climate-smart Israel
Israel is regarded as perhaps the most climate-smart agricultural region in the world. It has to be, with annual rainfall of about 17 inches (source: World Bank). By comparison, portions of the Sierra Nevada, the... more »
Study shows it’s possible to strengthen tree support system
Apple growers today want to produce large apples on small trees, with the trees packed as tightly as possible. Such a system can improve efficiency and yields, but has inherent structural problems. Heavy fruit loads,... more »
Robinson Fresh’s Lemke to keynote Global Cold Chain Expo
Jim Lemke, president of Robinson Fresh, will be the keynote speaker at the Monday Opening General Session kicking off the inaugural Global Cold Chain Expo in Chicago, June 20-22. More than 200 cold chain industry... more »
Yellow spots on Michigan grape leaves not downy mildew
In late May, small, yellow spots on grape leaves were noticed by growers and vineyard scouts in multiple vineyards in southwest Michigan. Usually a single spot per leaf was seen on a range of grape... more »
Renovate strawberries to improve next year’s crop
Perennial strawberries (matted row production) are normally planted on bare ground in the spring, maintained the first year with herbicides, fertilizer and irrigation, and then harvested for two to three years. After the first year... more »
Western Growers, USDA to host strawberry crop insurance meetings
Western Growers is working closely with USDA's Risk Management Agency to enhance and improve the current strawberry crop insurance program. In the latest effort to tailor the program, the two organizations have planned two informational... more »
MSU to host High Tunnel Fruit Production Tour
Michigan State University (MSU) Extension will host a tour and discussion of organic and conventional fruit production under high tunnels. The 2016 High Tunnel Fruit Production Tour will be held Tuesday, July 5 from 6:30 p.m.... more »
Scouting crops and ticks
June is the typical time in Michigan to check field emergence and early season pest problems. As you start visiting fields, keep ticks in the back of your mind, especially if you live in the... more »