News
Rains should lessen crop deterioration
Rains across Michigan brought much-needed relief Friday to crops suffering from dry conditions.
The USDA says 85 percent of corn is in the dough stage, 40 percent is dented, and condition declined four points to 50 percent good to excellent. Soybeans are nine percent dropping leaves, and condition dropped three points to 60 percent good to excellent.
As of Sunday, 40 percent of dry beans and 52 percent of sugarbeets were in good to excellent condition.
Drought stress has affected new orchards across the state. Harvest continues for early season apples as well as peaches, blueberries, winter squash, and cucumbers. Some growers have abandoned tomato and pepper fields because of low prices.