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Farmers optimistic for crop conditions to turn a corner

The President of DF Seeds says crop development is running about two weeks behind on her farm.

Janna Fritz grows corn, soybeans, wheat, and dry beans in Huron County, Michigan.

“Corn needs to have those warm temperatures to continue to go through its growth cycle,” she says. “All over the state, we’ve just had cool rains, cloudy days, and those cool temperatures overall.”

USDA says 92 percent of the state’s corn has emerged. Condition improved slightly to 52 percent good to excellent.

Soybeans are 95 percent planted, 82 percent emerged, and conditions degraded nearly 10 points to 48 percent good to excellent.

Fritz tells Brownfield the warm weather moving through should finally push crop growth and wheat harvest, but disease pressure could quickly become a concern.

“If we continue to see hot and wet, of course, that will be another indicator for disease issues in corn and beans, either white mold or potentially tar spot,” she explains.

USDA says wheat in Michigan is 88 percent headed, and 71 percent good to excellent.