News

Rain may be a little too late in Michigan

Another week of drought conditions took its toll on Michigan crops. While crop progress is close to average, a lack of moisture continued its assault on crop quality. As of Sunday, the USDA says 49 percent of topsoil and 57 percent of subsoil moisture is short to very short.

The Great Lakes Regional Ag Statistics office says 94 percent of the state’s corn crop is silking, 48 percent is in the dough stage, one percent is dented and condition dropped a point to 53 percent good to excellent. Soybeans are 93 percent blooming, 75 percent setting pods, and soybean condition dropped an additional two points to 55 percent good to excellent.

Dry beans are 88 percent blooming, 74 percent setting pods, and dry bean condition dropped an additional 13 points to 48 percent good to excellent. Sugarbeet condition also dropped an additional point to 65 percent good to excellent.  The second cutting of alfalfa is 91 percent complete, third cutting is at 32 percent.

Spotted wing Drosophila infestations continue to be an issue in blueberries and raspberries. Harvest of blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, peaches and plums is ongoing.  Harvest of tart cherries and summer raspberries is nearly finished.  Early season apple harvest has just started.  Sweet corn, cabbage, cucumber and potato harvest is underway.  Humid conditions continue to be ideal for the spread of vegetable foliar diseases.