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Michigan apple growers preparing for a bumper crop

Michigan apple growers expect their best harvest in at least three years.

Michigan Apple Committee board member and Sparta farmer Phil Schwallier tells Brownfield trees are loaded.

“We only had one minor, minor frost event and otherwise we’ve had just wonderful weather for bee activity and pollination,” he says.

The state’s crop is forecasted at nearly 30 million bushels is almost twice the size of last year. 

“We worry about having enough labor to harvest this crop and the second thing we worry about is having enough bins to put the apples in,” he shares.

The U.S. Apple Association is forecasting a nearly two percent decline in total production, but a 3.5 percent increase over the five percent average. 

Michigan would be the third largest producer behind Washington and New York.

Schwallier also serves as the International Fruit Tree Association Trust Research board president.

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