Michigan cherries and apples hit by spring freeze
Michigan cherries and apples hit by spring freeze
Officials representing the cherry and apple industries in the state of Michigan were cautiously optimistic following a May 6 cold frontthat sent much of the state's fruit-growing region into a deep freeze that the low temperatures will not spell disaster for the coming 2006 crops.
Phil Korson, president of the Michigan Cherry Committee, and Denise Yockey, executive director of the Michigan Apple Committee, agreed that the picture will be fleshed out in mid-June when the U.S. Department of Agriculture will release its 2006 crop estimates.
Temperatures dropped into the mid- to low 20s in northwest Michigan the morning of May 6.
"The impact of the frost is a big deal for us," Mr. Korson told The Produce News. "The front came along the lake and worked its way across the state."
According to Mr. Korson, Michigan produces 90 percent of its cherry crop in the state's northwestern area. While some sweet cherries are grown in the area, the majority of the crop is tart cherries, and Jim Nugent, district horticulturalist for the Michigan State University Extension, said that 2005 figures showed that Michigan produced 48 percent of the nation's tart cherries.
The tart cherry orchards were in full bloom when temperatures plummeted earlier in May. Typically, cherry trees are at the bud stage at the beginning of May.
Low-lying areas appeared to have sustained more damage than higher elevations, Mr. Nugent said. In terms of loss, Mr. Nugent indicated that areas with poor drainage were damaged badly. Blossoms on the upper sides of limbs are more likely to have been lost, while blossoms on the lower sides may remain viable. "That freeze definitely shortened our crops. The crop will be down, [and] the question is how much," Mr. Nugent added.
Weather continued to be a factor for cherry growers, with rain hitting in the days following the freeze. "We were dry until a week ago," Mr. Korson told The Produce News May 15. "Now it's raining, cool and wet."
Ms. Yockey said that Michigan is the third-largest producer of apples in the United States, growing 20 million bushels of apples annually. Approximately 65 percent of the state's apple production occurs in 28 Michigan counties collectively known as the "Fruit Ridge," and of the 65 percent, 10 percent is produced in the area impacted by the May 6 frost.
"I'm hearing differing reports about the damage," Ms. Yockey said. "It looks like trees in the higher areas are OK, but the lower trees may have suffered."
Most of the state's apple growers are diversified, and Ms. Yockey said that Golden Delicious, Northern Spice and Rome apples appear to have pulled through without damage. Actual damage to other varieties had yet to be assessed.
"There were some growers who sustained heavy damage, but I have no information to date that a grower might have been wiped out," she said.
"I'm told it only takes 10 percent of a blossom to have a full crop," she stated.
The state saw a similar scenario in 2004, and Ms. Yockey said that the apple crop was good that year.
Mr. Korson noted, "It's just the fruit business."
Phil Korson, president of the Michigan Cherry Committee, and Denise Yockey, executive director of the Michigan Apple Committee, agreed that the picture will be fleshed out in mid-June when the U.S. Department of Agriculture will release its 2006 crop estimates.
Temperatures dropped into the mid- to low 20s in northwest Michigan the morning of May 6.
"The impact of the frost is a big deal for us," Mr. Korson told The Produce News. "The front came along the lake and worked its way across the state."
According to Mr. Korson, Michigan produces 90 percent of its cherry crop in the state's northwestern area. While some sweet cherries are grown in the area, the majority of the crop is tart cherries, and Jim Nugent, district horticulturalist for the Michigan State University Extension, said that 2005 figures showed that Michigan produced 48 percent of the nation's tart cherries.
The tart cherry orchards were in full bloom when temperatures plummeted earlier in May. Typically, cherry trees are at the bud stage at the beginning of May.
Low-lying areas appeared to have sustained more damage than higher elevations, Mr. Nugent said. In terms of loss, Mr. Nugent indicated that areas with poor drainage were damaged badly. Blossoms on the upper sides of limbs are more likely to have been lost, while blossoms on the lower sides may remain viable. "That freeze definitely shortened our crops. The crop will be down, [and] the question is how much," Mr. Nugent added.
Weather continued to be a factor for cherry growers, with rain hitting in the days following the freeze. "We were dry until a week ago," Mr. Korson told The Produce News May 15. "Now it's raining, cool and wet."
Ms. Yockey said that Michigan is the third-largest producer of apples in the United States, growing 20 million bushels of apples annually. Approximately 65 percent of the state's apple production occurs in 28 Michigan counties collectively known as the "Fruit Ridge," and of the 65 percent, 10 percent is produced in the area impacted by the May 6 frost.
"I'm hearing differing reports about the damage," Ms. Yockey said. "It looks like trees in the higher areas are OK, but the lower trees may have suffered."
Most of the state's apple growers are diversified, and Ms. Yockey said that Golden Delicious, Northern Spice and Rome apples appear to have pulled through without damage. Actual damage to other varieties had yet to be assessed.
"There were some growers who sustained heavy damage, but I have no information to date that a grower might have been wiped out," she said.
"I'm told it only takes 10 percent of a blossom to have a full crop," she stated.
The state saw a similar scenario in 2004, and Ms. Yockey said that the apple crop was good that year.
Mr. Korson noted, "It's just the fruit business."
