West central Michigan small fruit update – July 3, 2024
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EmailMichigan’s blueberry harvest is underway with fruit of excellent quality and flavor.
The small fruit harvest in west central Michigan is proceeding. Summer strawberry harvest has concluded with multiple problems related to localized spring frosts, the presence of flower thrips, pollination and hot temperatures contributing to a short harvest season, small fruit and low yields. Blueberry, blackberry and summer red raspberry harvest is in progress.
Temperatures for the last two weeks have fluctuated between the mid-50s and upper 70s with occasional thunderstorms that deposited between 0.6 and 1.5 inches of rain. The highest precipitation occurred around Grand Junction, Michigan, and the lowest precipitation occurred around West Olive, Michigan.
Strawberry fields are in the process of renovation. In fields where picnic beetles and spotted wing Drosophila (SWD) are present, growers need to spray insecticides as soon as they finish harvesting. This action will reduce the population of beetles overwintering and, in the case of SWD, reduce the populations that may affect day-neutral strawberries and fall raspberries. A complete recommendation for renovating strawberry fields can be found in the Michigan State University Extension article by Benjamin Phillips and Cheyenne Sloan, “Renovation in perennial strawberry fields.”
In west central and southwest Michigan, blueberry harvest of early varieties like Bluetta, Brigitta and Duke has continued. Fruit is of excellent quality in fruit size and flavor. In addition, yields are also excellent thanks to the mild winter weather conditions and localized spring frost events that affected mid- and late season blueberry varieties. Bluecrop harvest has started this week in southwest Michigan and the fruit is of excellent quality (Photo 1).
So far, blueberry growers are not reporting major problems. There were issues with flower thrips at the beginning of bloom that affected mid- and late season varieties. Cranberry fruitworm and cherry fruitworm were not a problem in most fields. The current pest problem is SWD. According to SWD monitoring conducted during the winter and spring by Rufus Isaacs of the Michigan State University (MSU) Department of Entomology, the insect was active all season long and it is already active in blueberry fields. Growers need to be aware of its presence by installing monitoring traps and following the MSU Extension pest management recommendations to prevent fruit infestation.
Finally, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has released new rules to protect farm workers from extreme heat exposure, but they are not yet in effect. Growers need to follow the rules already enacted. Under these rules, growers and labor contractors should:
- Provide adequate hydration resources.
- Designate break areas.
- Implement acclimatization plans for workers to gradually adjust to hot temperatures.
- Monitor for heat-related symptoms.
- Provide mandatory rest breaks.
- Conduct periodic checks on solitary workers.
- Issue hazard alerts emphasizing the importance of staying hydrated.
An excellent summary of these new and current rules can be found in “OSHA Proposes New Rule to Protect Workers From Extreme Heat Exposure; What You Need to Know” from The Packer online magazine.
