Apr 30, 2012

Fruit losses climb: More West Michigan growers hit by record April cold

Farmers in West Michigan’s lucrative Fruit Ridge region are reporting heavy damage to apple, peach and sweet cherry crops after record late April cold.
The Fruit Ridge area boasts roughly 65 percent of Michigan’s total yearly apple yield, according to the Michigan Apple Committee, and also has the highest concentration of apple growers in the state.

Farmers on The Ridge also grow peaches, nectarines and other crops. The growers said they likely will not know how widespread the damage is for several weeks, but acknowledged their yields will be affected by April’s multiple cold snaps.

“I think there’s going to be some apples left, sweet cherries I’m not too sure how many, of ours anyway,” said Joe Klein, whose family owns a 180-acre apple orchard and six acres of cherries near Sparta. “They got whacked pretty hard.” MLive

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