Parts of Michigan have been abnormally dry in recent months as rainfall is becoming less reliable. According to the National Weather Service, the summer of 2025 was one of Michigan’s driest summers on record.
Researchers at Michigan State University say that means farmers are relying more on irrigation to water their crops. This is especially true for tree fruit growers who have densely packed orchards, according to Younsuk Dong, an irrigation specialist at MSU.
“The roots are shallow, and trees are planted like closer,” Dong said. “So there’s going to be more competition of water use between the trees.”…