A disastrous growing season for northwestern Lower Michigan’s cherry crop is resulting in calls for federal aid and a growing sense that climate change is warping the health of this iconic fruit.
The sweet cherry crop has been deemed a failure, and similar conditions have affected tart cherries. It’s estimated that cherry growers lost 30% to 75% of their crop this year. Governor Gretchen Whitmer has called for federal assistance to cherry growers, including low-interest loans and funds to rehabilitate or replant affected trees.
Michigan is the leading producer of tart cherries among U.S. states. In 2022, Michigan produced 180 million pounds of tart cherries with a value of $36.5 million.
Tim Boring, the director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), says weather patterns related to climate change are damaging the agriculture industry. “Climate resiliency is one of our highest priorities at MDARD. We know the long-term prosperity and viability of Michigan agriculture, especially our specialty crops, depends on our ability to adapt to shifting climate conditions,” said Boring.
Weather is becoming more erratic and less predictable, experts say. One of the culprits is a steadily warming Lake Michigan, which in springtime means a higher risk of premature blossoming of cherry trees.
This year’s problems were caused by weather variability. A mild 2023-2024 winter led to higher insect populations. A warm, wet and humid spring and early summer resulted in skyrocketing populations of spotted wing drosophila and rapid development of fungi, including cherry leaf spot and American brown rot.
Emily Miezio of Suttons Bay, a Leelanau County farmer who sits on the Michigan Cherry Committee, said cherry growers in the business for many years have told her they’ve never seen a growing season like it. A premature warm spell followed by a hard freeze wiped out 90% of the 2012 crop, but this year’s borderline conditions forced growers to make a season-long effort that nonetheless resulted in a significant reduction in crop yields.
MSU agricultural scientists are attempting to set a new baseline for cherries, apples, blueberries, and grapes in recognition that climate change has altered conditions affecting these crops.
