UPDATE: LANSING - The Michigan Apple Committee estimates the 2011 crop will yield about 25 million bushels. That is great news for Michigan, as apples are one of the state's largest agricultural fruit crops.
A long time chef, Kevin Cronin says, "because apples have both sweetness and acidity, they are good for cooking especially with pork dishes." Last year, Michigan produced 14 million bushels that is almost half of this year's crop. The main reason for better crop this year is good weather. According to Meridian Township's Farmers' market farmer, Sandy Stone, the rain arrived when needed and Michigan didn't get hit by a lake frost. More than 2000 varieties are grown in the United States. In a good growing year like 2011, the fruit can add more than $700 million to the state's economy, the Apple Committee says.

ORIGINAL STORY: LANSING - Michigan farmers say this year was a good year for apples compare to last year.