News
Rains making a crop comeback in Michigan
The executive director of the Michigan Corn Growers Association says he expects average to above-average corn production in Michigan this year.
Jim Zook tells Brownfield a dry start limited most disease and pest pressure, and now wet weather has provided adequate moisture for at least the next month. Tar spot has been the largest issue showing up on the west side of the state according to Zook but its full impact remains to be seen.
“We have seen that move through the center part of the state, but because it was dry early on, it seemed like that tar spot has been a little bit slow to come,” he explains.
He says drought conditions are unfortunate in other regions but expects Michigan growers to likely benefit from improved prices.
“Obviously that’s going to be favorable for the corn price and our growers will be able to take advantage of that and be a little bit more profitable because of it,” he says.
While more than half of the state still has dry areas, the U.S. Drought Monitor cut back Michigan’s drought area by nearly 40 percent in recent weeks.
