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Michigan apple forecast above average

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Michigan apple growers expect a slightly better than average harvest despite severe August storms. Diane Smith, Executive Director of the Michigan Apple Committee says overall Michigan apple growers have had a good production season.

While severe storms at the beginning of August did cause major damage to some orchards in the northwest, Smith says the state’s production was not majorly impacted.   “We did have a few orchards that were hit pretty hard by that.” She tells Brownfield, “Overall though we did have quite a few orchards up there that had just minimal damage, thankfully.”

Michigan is the third largest producer of apples in the U.S.

“We’re estimating that production this year will be at about 24 million bushels, which again is pretty comparable with what we had last year with 24 million bushels as well”

That’s slightly above an average production year of just under 23 million bushels.

Smith tells Brownfield Washington State did have some production issues this year, but they will remain the country’s largest producer. New York, which has a similar climate to Michigan, is number two.

AUDIO: Interview with Diane Smith (3:15 mp3):

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