Michigan hop crop report week of May 23, 2024

Rob Sirrine<sirrine@msu.edu> and Erin Lizotte<taylo548@msu.edu>, Michigan State University Extension - May 24, 2024

Across Michigan, hop growth is ahead of schedule.

Weather review

From mid-February through mid-May, temperatures were higher than average across Michigan. Temperatures over the last 10 days have been well above normal (4-10 degrees Fahrenheit). Mid-April through Mid-May, precipitation has been variable across the state with slightly above average accumulation in the eastern Upper Peninsula, northern and southwest Michigan, and below average accumulation across central Michigan.

Maps of Michigan showing the 30-day temperature and precipitation departure from mean. — Source: https://climate.geo.msu.edu/climate_maps.html

In terms of growing degree day (GDD) accumulation, most areas of the state are one to two weeks ahead of average.

Enviroweather cumulative growing degree days, Enviroweather heat accumulation. — Michigan accumulated growing degree day summary (base 50 F) March 1-May 21, 2024 (left) compared to the 1991-2020 average (right). Data source: https://enviroweather.msu.edu/

Looking ahead

Medium range guidance suggests a transition back to near normal temperatures and normal to slightly above normal precipitation.

6-10 day temp and precip outlook maps — NOAA 6-10 day forecasts: https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/predictions/610day/index.php

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 (from re-growth after burn back) and entering Growth Stage 2: Formation of Side Shoots and 3: Elongation of Bines depending upon growing location.

Chart of phenological growth stages of hop.

In the field

Across Michigan, growers have applied a fungicide drench and plants are coming back nicely after burn down/mechanical prune. Training is underway or will begin soon for more northern farms. Most growers have applied or soon will apply an initial foliar fungicide, which is timely since downy mildew spikes have been spotted. Finally, many growers are spreading dry fertilizer and prepping irrigation for the season.

A chart showing the timing of hop management activities. — Timing of hop management activities in Michigan. Table by Rob Sirrine and Erin Lizotte, MSU Extension.

For pest information, please see the Michigan hop pest report for May 23, 2024.

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.

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit https://extension.msu.edu. To have a digest of information delivered straight to your email inbox, visit https://extension.msu.edu/newsletters. To contact an expert in your area, visit https://extension.msu.edu/experts, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).