Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/298602
S hort crops grow long tails, they say in the grain trade, and it apparently applies to apples, too. Apple marketers in Michigan are still trying to deal with the after effects of the freeze-decimated 2012 crop, and the large crop that followed added steam to the pressure cooker. Dawn Drake, manager of the Michigan Processing Apple Grow- ers, said that "negotiations were some of the most difficult" between the association, which represents growers, and the dozen apple pro- cessors in Michigan. Despite that, the growers negotiated processing apple prices for the 2013 crop very close to those in 2011 (see "Mich- igan announces price schedule for processing apples" at www.good- fruit.com). Prices for hard varieties were $12.50 per hundredweight and higher. Processors were in a difficult position, Drake said. They had been out of the market the year before and had to reestablish relations with customers. 16 MAY 1, 2014 GOOD FRUIT GROWER www.goodfruit.com "Bird Gard has been phenomenal! With the lack of birds present and the labor savings, I would say this is the best bird control device on the market. I'm now a Bird Gard believer, and you can quote me on that!" Keep Birds Out GUARANTEED! 888-332-2328 www.BirdGard.com Heath Cleveringa Washington Fruit & Produce Try Bird Gard for an entire YEAR. If you are not completely satisfied with your results Simply return it for a full refund of your purchase price. Short crop, LONG TAIL Michigan apple industry works through aftereffects of 2012 freeze. by Richard Lehnert PHOTO BY RICHARD LEHNERT Dawn Drake congratulates Phil Schwallier after Michigan Processing Apple Growers gave him the distinguished service award. Schwallier, the Michigan State University extension fruit educator for west central Michigan, is an expert on apple thinners and plant growth regulators and current president of the International Tree Fruit Association. "Some packing houses had to dump apple sorts in landfills because of no demand." —Dawn Drake