<p><strong>Lansing, MI</strong><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">The Michigan Apple Committee has announced that the Michigan apple industry has suffered massive crop losses due to extreme weather events in late winter and spring. Crop loss was caused by an early heat wave that brought apple blossoms out early followed by a cold, frost-filled spring, and growers, shippers and other experts from across the state predict a crop size of about 3 million bushels compared to the average crop size of 20-23 million bushels. While significant crop loss has been predicted for months, it wasn’t until trees started to produce fruit that the industry was able to make accurate assessments of future crop size.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">Governor Rick Snyder officially requested disaster assistance for Michigan growers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture in May, and on June 26 signed a bill that provides a low-interest loan program for farmers who have lost their crops. Governor Snyder states, “This is the worst natural disaster to strike Michigan’s agricultural industry in more than 50 years. Agriculture is a key component of our economy, and these loans will help keep our fruit farmers afloat until next season.”<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">The apple industry typically contributes $700 - $900 million to the state’s economy, and the financial implications of crop damage will be hard to measure. Diane Smith, interim executive director of the Michigan Apple Committee, states, “No one can put a full value on the loss at this point—it will have an impact on Michigan’s entire agriculture industry and beyond. Our job is to support Michigan’s apple growers and the apple industry as they move forward through this difficult season.” Ms. Smith adds, “The impact of these rare weather conditions was ‘hit-or-miss’ in many cases. We have heard reports of some growers with nearly a full crop of apples, and some who have nothing.”<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">The Michigan Apple Committee is committed to working to promote, educate and conduct research on Michigan apples and help growers get through this difficult season.</p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><p><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href="http://www.michiganapples.com" target="_new"> Michigan Apple Committee </a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
