Minnesota's apple crop this year is smaller, the harvest earlier and the fruit will likely cost more, the Pioneer Press reports. Growers had to battle frost, flood, hail and drought.

Apple consumers in Minnesota can thank an early spring for apples at area orchards, which are ripening 10 days to two weeks ahead of schedule -- but because of rough weather, the crop is also smaller. KARE-TV reports that shoppers should expect no deals on apples this year, with the exception of hail-damaged fruit -- often sold as "utility" apples -- at half price.

Below-freezing temperatures are threatening Minnesota apple crops this week. The Star Tribune reports the owner of Pine Tree Apple Orchard in White Bear Lake is spending more $600 an hour for a helicopter to circulate air through the trees overnight.

Officials say this year's corn and soybean yields remain unchanged, despite the frost. But grains may be another story -- the full damage of the frost may not be known until after the fall harvest is complete.

With temperatures set to dip below freezing again, apple orchard operators are crossing their fingers and hoping for the best. The early warmth this year means plants are ahead of schedule -- and in danger of frost damage.

For the past 32 years, University of Minnesota apple breeder David Bedford has been keeping the doctor away ... in a big way. He's tasted 500 to 600 apples a day during the apple harvest, the U's Minnesota Daily reports. The university’s 124-year-old fruit breeding program is one of three left in the country. “I don’t eat many apples,” Bedford said. “I taste many apples.”

Minnesota’s apple orchards are open for business, and some early varieties are available. But you may have to wait for some, like the best-selling HoneyCrisp. The Agriculture Department says many varieties are ripening later than usual due to the cool weather this spring.