News
Michigan crops good, but some insect pressure
Michigan farmers were able to get a lot of field work done last week. USDA’s Marlo Johnson says there were 6.5 days suitable for fieldwork with warm and windy conditions around much of the state.
About half of the corn and soybean crops are in good condition as the state still has adequate soil moisture levels.
The drier weather slowed emergence for all crops, but farmers were able to start side dressing corn in the southern lower peninsula and a lot of hay was cut. USDA reporters say the winter wheat and oats need moisture to fill out the grain, but the crop is not in critical condition. Dry bean emergence is also reported as good with little insect or disease pressure.
The dryness did impact Michigan’s fruit crops as growers were irrigating some peach orchards. The tart cherry harvest is expected to begin soon in west central Michigan, and early blueberries are softening and getting close to final size.
Michigan’s asparagus harvest is wrapping up. USDA reporters saw some pest and disease pressure on carrots, celery, cucumbers, and peppers.
