Established 1979
This 137-acre center sits in the five-county northwestern region that produces almost half of the U.S. supply of tart cherries and is responsible for 83 percent of sweet cherry production in Michigan. Founded through the efforts of the northwestern Michigan area fruit industry, the center is the premier research site for integrated pest management, horticultural production and handling, value-added processing, marketing and farm financial management practices for sweet and tart cherries, wine grapes, apples, plums and hops. In addition to creating and expanding knowledge through leading-edge research on cherries and other fruits, the center disseminates state-of-the-art information to the Michigan fruit industry and the public.
News
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MSU AgBioResearch, MSU Extension to host field days around the state this summer
Published on May 28, 2024
Growers and producers will have the chance to participate in field days across Michigan. -
Northwest Michigan fruit update – May 14, 2024
Published on May 14, 2024
Apples are in full bloom and fire blight EIPs are low with the cooler weather. Sweet cherries are coming out of the shuck and tart cherries are at late petal fall. -
Northwest Michigan fruit update – May 7, 2024
Published on May 7, 2024
Tart cherries are in full bloom and sweets are starting to drop their petals. Gala are at 15% bloom and Honeycrisp are at king bloom. We have had excellent pollination weather for the last three days and black stem borer is in peak flight. -
Northwest Michigan fruit update – April 30, 2024
Published on April 30, 2024
Most orchards came through the cold weather last week, but there are pockets of isolated damage where temperatures dipped into the mid- to low 20s. Sweet cherries are in bloom. Tart cherries are just showing white. Apples are at early pink. -
Northwest Michigan fruit update – April 23, 2024
Published on April 23, 2024
First white is starting to show on sweet cherries. Tart cherries are in bud burst. Weather forecasts are concerning, with cold overnight temperatures predicted for the next two nights.