Michigan hop crop report week of July 1, 2024
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EmailHop growth is at its peak.
Weather review
Over the last month, the Upper Peninsula has been slightly cooler than average, while most areas in the southern lower Michigan have been warmer than average. In terms of precipitation, the Upper Peninsula and west lower Michigan have received above average precipitation.
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.
Looking ahead
Medium range guidance suggests warmer than normal temperatures and greater than normal precipitation through the first week of July.
The extended forecast outlook for July, which was released June 20, suggests higher than normal temperatures and below average precipitation.
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, and potentially Growth Stage 4: Inflorescence emergence depending upon growing location.
In the field
Across Michigan, hops are anywhere from 10 to 18 feet depending on growing location and cultivar. Growers are actively fertilizing, irrigating and applying plant protection products for disease control. Plant growth is about a week ahead of normal in most growing locations and there are reports that some varieties are in burr stage in southern Michigan.
Sincere thanks to the Michigan hop producers who provided timely input for the Michigan Hop Crop 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.