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Michigan dry beans under stress from persistent drought-like conditions

The continued lack of rain has started to turn Michigan’s dry bean crop in parts of the Saginaw Bay region.

Roger Hupfer with Freeland Bean and Grain tells Brownfield, “They’re stressing right now, and I think you’re starting to see some ripening, some of that is maybe a little bit premature ripening.”

The region hasn’t had significant rainfall for most of the growing season.

Despite some relief over the weekend, Hupfer says, “It’s going to help, but all the crops need rain.”

“It seems like the rains have been splitting and missing the central part of the state,” he shares.

In its latest crop progress report, USDA says Michigan’s corn is rated 58 percent good to excellent, with 63 percent of the crop in the dough stage and 12 percent dented. Michigan’s soybean crop is rated 49 percent good to excellent, with 84 percent of the crop setting pods.