Apple Orchards In Michigan

Michigan fruit crop expected to surpass last year's harvest

Lowell — Tony Blatner, a second-generation apple farmer, likes what he sees when he looks out on his 125-acre orchard.

The Fuji, Gala, Honeycrisp and seven or so other varieties he grows at the Twin Bee Orchards in Kent County are heavy on the trees and plumping up nicely. After a disappointing fruit season statewide last year, Blatner is looking to be part of what could be a record crop if the weather cooperates.

"We've had a real nice spring here," said Blatner, 42. "We're pretty excited about it."

He's got reasons to be cautiously optimistic.

Yields for apples and other fruit in Michigan are on pace to exceed last year. The apple crop in Michigan, the third-largest U.S. producer, is projected at 25 million bushels — about the same as the record high set in 1995.

Apples alone translate to $800 million worth of economic impact in the state, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The state's cherry crop heated up this year, although the crop was late because of the cool, wet spring. Michigan leads the nation in tart cherry growth, producing about 75 percent of the total crop.

Growers were so far behind that the signature fruit had to be imported to Traverse City for the annual Cherry Festival this month. But warmer temperatures have allowed the fruit to catch up, and yields this year will be well above average, USDA officials said.

The healthy fruit crop projections are a bright spot in the state's otherwise troubled economy. After all, everybody has to eat, said Keith Creagh, director of the state Department of Agriculture.

"One of the strong fundaments in the state is a strong food and agriculture industry," he said. "You've got to have product to sell. This year, we're pretty optimistic."

If we finally get some more rain, apples and other fruit should be plentiful — but not necessarily much cheaper.

"We sell in the world market, whether it's our apples or the state of New York's," said Mike Rothwell, an apple distributor with the Ionia County apple packer Belle Harvest Sales in Belding.

"It used to be if you had fruit and your neighbor didn't, you were doing well. It's just not like that anymore," he said. "It's a worldwide industry now."

Agriculture in Michigan is a $71.3 billion industry and supports 1 million jobs when all factors are considered, Creagh said.

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Annual report of the secretary of the State Horticultural Society of Michigan

Wacker's manual of the plan of Chicago, municipal economy

Annual report of the Secretary of State of the State of Michigan relating to farms and farm products

Michigan state farmers' institutes

Annual report of the Agricultural Experiment Station, Michigan State University