Michigan hop crop report week of July 14, 2024

Hop growers confront excessive rain across much of Michigan.

A hopyard.
Photo by Top Hops

Weather review

Over the last month, most areas of the state have seen above average temperatures, especially over the last week with daily highs in the 90s. Accumulated precipitation is also above average  ranging from 125-300% of mean over the last month. Over the last week, the remnants of hurricane Beryl resulted in flooding conditions across large swaths of southern Michigan ranging from 200-500% above average.   

Temp 1 wk and month.png
Source: https://climate.geo.msu.edu/climate_maps.html 

Precip 1 wk and month.png

https://climate.geo.msu.edu/climate_maps.html

For the Lower Peninsula, growing degree-days (GDD) base 50 degrees Fahrenheit range from just over 700 in northwest Michigan to nearly 1,300 in southern Michigan. This equates to seven to 14 days ahead of normal for most of the Lower Peninsula. Most areas of the Upper Peninsula are closer to average.

GDD 50 through 7.15.24.png

Michigan accumulated Growing Degree Day summary (Base 50 F) March 1-July 15, 2024 (left) and Heat Accumulation (in days) compared to the 1991-2020 average (right). Data source: https://enviroweather.msu.edu/

Looking ahead

Medium range guidance suggests warmer than normal temperatures for the Upper Peninsula and seasonally average temperatures for the lower peninsula. The six-10 day forecast also suggests dryer than normal conditions, which is welcome news.

6-10 day outlook.jpg
NOAA 6-10 day forecasts. Source: https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/610day/index.php
Source: https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/30day/ 

See the most recent Michigan State University agriculture weather forecast.

Stage of production/physiology

Hops across Michigan are in Principal Growth Stage 1: Leaf Development, Growth Stage 2: Formation of Side Shoots, 3: Elongation of Bines, Growth Stage 5: Inflorescence emergence, Growth Stage 6: Flowering and  Growth Stage 7: Development of cones depending upon growing location and cultivar.

Phenological growth stages of hop in MI.jpg

In the field

Across Michigan hops are anywhere from 12 feet to wire depending on growing location and cultivar. Growers are actively fertilizing, foliar fertilizing and applying plant protection products for disease control. Plant growth is about a week ahead of normal in most growing locations.

Timing of hop management activities in NW MI.jpg
Timing of hop management activities in Michigan. Table by Rob Sirrine and Erin Lizotte, MSU Extension.

Sincere thanks to the Michigan hop producers who provided timely input for the Michigan Hop Crop Report.

For Pest Information please see the July 15, 2024 Hop Pest Report.

Stay connected!

For more information on hop production practices, please sign up for the hop MSU Extension Newsletter, the free MSU Hop Chat Series and continue to visit Michigan State University Extension’s Hops webpage or the MSU Hops News Facebook.

If you are unsure of what is causing symptoms in the field, you can submit a sample to MSU Plant & Pest Diagnostics. Visit the webpage for specific information about how to collect, package, ship and image plant samples for diagnosis. If you have any doubt about what or how to collect a good sample, please contact the lab at 517-432-0988 or pestid@msu.edu.

Become a licensed pesticide applicator

All growers utilizing pesticide can benefit from getting their license, even if not legally required. Understanding pesticides and the associated regulations can help growers protect themselves, others, and the environment. Michigan pesticide applicator licenses are administered by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. You can read all about the process by visiting the Pesticide FAQ webpage. Michigan State University offers a number of resources to assist people pursuing their license, including an online study/continuing ed course and study manuals.

 

This work is supported by the Crop Protection and Pest Management Program [grant no 2021- 70006-35450] from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture and the North Central IPM Center. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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