Michigan hop crop report – August 13, 2026
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EmailHop growers are preparing for harvest.
Weather review
Temperatures last week were close to the 30-year average last week. Growing degree days (50) are seven to 10 days ahead of normal in southern Michigan and the western Upper Peninsula and close to normal in the northern lower and eastern Upper Peninsula. There is wide variability in precipitation across the state from wetter than normal in northern Michigan to abnormally dry across mid-Michigan.
Accumulated precipitation over the last week was below normal across the Upper Peninsula, the Tip of the Mitt, and parts of the Saginaw Bay area. Northeast Michigan once again received more precipitation than normal. Over the last 30 days, precipitation has been normal to slightly below normal across central and southeast Michigan and above normal in the northern Lower Peninsula. The 90-day average is close to average for most of the state, aside from northeast Michigan, which has been wetter than normal.
Looking ahead
It will be mostly sunny Thursday and Friday, Aug. 13 and 14. Scattered showers are possible Saturday through Sunday. High temperatures will be in the 70s and 80s, cooling to the 70s over the weekend. Low temperatures will be in the mid-50s to mid-60s. The 6-10 day forecast model predicts warmer than average temperatures and normal to perhaps above normal precipitation.
Visit MSU Extension’s Agriculture Weather page for the most recent agricultural weather forecast.
Stage of production/physiology
Hops across Michigan are in Principal Growth Stage 6: Flowering and 7: Cone Development, depending on growing location.
In the field
Hop plants are in the flowering stage and cone development across Michigan. Early varieties have reached full cone size while later varieties are still filling out. Growers are actively fertigating, applying micronutrients based upon leaf/petiole sample lab results and sufficiency ranges. While pest pressure has been low most of the season, growers are scouting for mites, European corn borer, and Japanese beetles if necessary and ensuring plants are disease-free as harvest is nearly upon us.
Pest management update
For pest information, see the July 30 Hop Pest Report.
MSU Hop Chat Series update
The following recordings are now available on MSU Mediaspace:
- May 8 Hop Chat Series, featuring Erin Lizotte and Rob Sirrine
- May 21 Hop Chat Series, featuring MSU irrigation specialist Younsuk Dong
- June 4 Hop Chat Series, featuring Tim Miles
- June 18, Hop Chat Series, featuring Erin Lizotte and Rob Sirrine
Sincere thanks to the Michigan hop producers who provided timely input for the Michigan Hop Crop Report.
Stay connected!
For more information from Michigan State University Extension on hop production practices, sign up for the Hops & Barley MSU Extension Newsletter, attend the free MSU Hop Chat Series and continue to visit the MSU Extension Hops website or MSU Hops News Facebook.
If you are unsure of what is causing symptoms in your field, submit a sample to MSU Plant and Pest Diagnostics. Visit the webpage for specific information about how to collect, package, ship and take pictures of plant samples for diagnosis. If you have any doubt about what or how to collect a good sample, please contact the lab at 517-432-0988 or pestid@msu.edu.
Become a licensed pesticide applicator
All growers using pesticides can benefit from getting a pesticide applicator license, even if not legally required. Understanding pesticides and the associated regulations can help you protect yourself, others and the environment. Michigan pesticide applicator licenses are administered by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development. You can read all about the process by visiting the Pesticide FAQ webpage. Michigan State University offers a number of resources to assist people pursuing their license, including an online study/continuing education course and study manuals.
This work is supported by the Crop Protection and Pest Management Program (grant no 2024-70006-43569) from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
