Much of Michigan could use more rain

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Much of Michigan could use more rain

Most of Michigan remained warm and dry, but there were a few scattered showers providing relief to crops.

USDA statistician Marlo Johnson says most of the rain relief came to crops along Lake Michigan on the western side of the state, while much of the upper peninsula, and the northwest and central lower peninsula remained abnormally dry.

Johnson says the winter wheat harvest is winding down and farmers were planting cover crops in the wheat stubble and the oats are ripening and almost ready for a full-scale harvest.  Some areas are feeding livestock supplemental hay since some pastures are going dormant with the lack of rain.

Michigan’s peach, tart cherry, and blueberry harvests are in full swing.  Harvest continues on cucumbers, tomatoes, garlic, sweet corn, and sweet onions.

Seventy-three percent of the corn is silking with 22% in the dough stage.

Eighty-four percent of the soybeans are blooming with 51% setting pods.

Eighty-four percent of the dry edible beans are blooming with 23% setting pods.

Eighty-five percent of the state’s winter wheat is harvested. 

Only about 10% of third-crop alfalfa is cut.

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