News

Southwest Michigan field crops update – September 17, 2026

Published on September 17, 2026
Soybeans and corn are finishing up kernel fill and drying down. Seed corn and potato harvesters ran as weather permitted.
Michigan statewide apple maturity report – September 16, 2026

Published on September 17, 2026
Keep abreast of the latest apple maturity testing done in different cultivars around the state to optimize harvest times for storage and fresh picking.
Southwest Michigan apple maturity report – September 17, 2026

Published on September 17, 2026
Jonathon, Golden Delicious, Red Delicious and the remaining Honeycrisp are being harvested this week, while Empire and Jonagold are approaching maturity.
Southeast Michigan fruit update – September 15, 2026

Published on September 16, 2026
Main apple harvest season underway. Waiting on fall weather.
Registration is open for the ‘Dirty Work Field Day’ on Managing Invasives and Solving Site Challenges

Published on September 15, 2026
Geared toward professional landscapers and nursery operators, this hands-on field day will prepare you for what’s to come with new invasive species and regulations. Plus, you can earn pesticide applicator credits at the same time.
When a cover crop becomes a cash crop: Lessons from a cereal rye seed production field

Published on September 15, 2026
A West Michigan grain farmer’s goal of growing cereal rye for grain seed leads to some important lessons on cover crop usage in Michigan.
Tough weeds? No effective herbicide options? Let us know!

Published on September 15, 2026
Christmas tree growers’ input can influence future herbicide labeling decisions.
Michigan grape scouting report – September 11, 2026

Published on September 11, 2026
Concise, research-based updates on weather trends, vine development, pest pressure and disease risk.
New to Agriculture? We’ve got a guide for you!

Published on September 10, 2026
The Beginning Farmer Resource and Decision-Making Guide is now available from Michigan State University Extension and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Southwest Michigan field crops update – September 10, 2026

Published on September 10, 2026
Seed corn harvest continues and potato storage harvest will start this week, temperatures permitting.