USA - Peach harvest in southwestern Michigan nearly wiped out by last winter’s polar vortex

10.06.2019 1905 views

The polar vortex that enveloped much of the Midwest early this year has nearly wiped out the peach crop in southwestern Michigan.

And it’s not just peaches, which Michigan is known for. Some of the region’s apricot, plum and apple crops also might be affected after the blast of polar air plummeted temperatures to minus 20 degrees in late January around the state.

Bill Shane, a tree fruit specialist at Michigan State University, says Michigan’s southwestern counties will suffer millions of dollars in losses from damage to fruit crops. The polar vortex also might have shortened the lifespan of trees that were severely damaged, according to Shane.

Bill Teichman recently inspected his peach trees at Tree-Mendus Fruit Farm, a 500-acre orchard in Eau Claire, Michigan, and found deep, vertical cracks in some of their trunks. Others were bleeding sap. Some were hardly able to produce leaves, Teichman said.

He said he doubts that his peach trees will be able to produce fruit at all this year and that he already can tell that several need to be replaced.

A peach tree in Eau Claire, Michigan, that was badly damaged by last winter’s polar vortex.
A peach tree in Eau Claire, Michigan, that was badly damaged by last winter’s polar vortex.
AP

He also found that some of his apple varieties aren’t bearing fruit, either. He hopes to help cover his losses through an insurance claim.

His farm is still recovering from a late cold snap in 2012 that killed the farm’s peach trees.

“We’ve lost our peach crop twice in the past seven years,” he said.

Ben Smith, who manages Hinkelman Farms in Benton Harbor, Michigan, said some of the farm’s grape varieties were killed. It could take a couple of years before it can get its grapes back to full production, according to Smith.

Source - https://chicago.suntimes.com
20.09.2026

Guyana - First crop-insurance payouts reach 2,068 rice farmers

More than 2,000 rice farmers received nearly US$128,000 in crop-insurance claims during the first half of 2026 after above-normal rainfall affected production during the first crop.

20.09.2026

USA - Michigan launches project with crop insurance companies to reward regenerative farming

Michigan is launching what officials said is the nation's first public-private crop insurance program for regenerative farming.

20.09.2026

Spain - Planas expects to approve in October the extra aid for agricultural insurance due to the fires.

Luis Planas will bring to the Council of Ministers in October the Royal Decree with extra aid for agricultural insurance for those affected by the recent fires.

20.09.2026

Growers should photograph crop damage before and after uprooting affected plants

ASAJA Almería recommends that growers carefully monitor their crops for pests and viral diseases. They should also document any damage carefully, especially if they may need to uproot the crop because of the severity of the infestation.

20.09.2026

India - Sharad Pawar urges Maharashtra CM to declare drought, seeks Rs 50,000 per hectare for affected farmers

Pawar cites rainfall deficit across 31 districts and seeks immediate relief for farmers, farm labourers and livestock.

20.09.2026

India - Udupi paddy crop at risk as rain fails at crucial stage

Paddy farmers in Udupi district are facing renewed uncertainty as rainfall has weakened sharply just when the crop is entering a crucial stage of ear formation and grain filling. 

17.09.2026

12-hectare blueberry greenhouse project underway in Kenya

Kakuzi Plc has started development of a 12-hectare blueberry greenhouse project in Kenya, adding blueberries as its third commercial superfood crop alongside macadamia and avocado as part of its revenue diversification strategy.

17.09.2026

USA - USDA Expands Crop Insurance Flexibility for Organic Stone Fruit Growers

The USDA is improving crop insurance options for organic stone fruit producers, giving them more flexibility beginning with the 2027 crop year.