News

More heat stress for Michigan crops

Continued hot, dry weather is putting more stress on crops and livestock in Michigan.

The USDA says corn is now five percent silking with condition dropping five points to 66 percent good to excellent. Soybeans are 27 percent in bloom and condition dropped four percent to 68 percent good to excellent.

The wheat crop is 69 percent mature, nine percent harvested and 67 percent good to excellent, also down four percent.

Dry beans are 87 percent emerged and declined 14 percent to 53 percent good to excellent. The second cutting of alfalfa is 31 percent complete.

Hot weather helped advance Michigan’s fruit crop which needs rain. Harvest continues for apricots, sweet and tart cherries, and blueberries.  Potato late blight has not been reported yet this season, likely because of the dry weather.  Cucumber, zucchini and cauliflower harvest is also underway.