The following is from the Michigan Field Office of USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service for the week ending May 21.
The week began with warm, dry conditions, which allowed producers to make good planting progress. Cool, wet conditions returned by the end of the week halting fieldwork, although the moisture was welcomed in some areas.
Despite the cool mornings and variable weather, producers made good progress planting row crops last week. Both the corn and soybean planting progress surpassed last year's pace.
There were 5.1 days suitable for fieldwork.
The nice weather allowed oat seeding to advance, but progress lagged behind last year and the 5-year average.
High winds mid-week limited spraying operations and caused some damage to sugarbeets and other emerged crops.
Winter wheat development had just started to progress into the heading stage in some areas. The crop remained in good condition.
Hay first cutting was just getting underway in some southern and central counties. There were no major disease or insect problems reported.
Many producers experienced good fieldwork conditions a majority of the week until late week rains left some fields inaccessible.
Fruit
Seasonal temperatures this week have promoted growth in fruit crops, although recent rain events raised concerns for fire blight and scab infections in apples and pears.
Damage from the May 8 freeze varied widely in unprotected fields and orchards, especially in apples, blueberries, sweet cherries and juice grapes. For operations using frost protection, damage was not significant.
Peaches were in the shuck in West Central, at late bloom to shuck split in the East, and out of the shuck in the Southwest; preliminary indications show the peach crop potential to be good across the state.
Sweet cherries were in late bloom in the Northwest and out of the shuck further south, with the largest fruit at about 10 millimeters in diameter.
Tart cherries were at full to late bloom in the Northwest and West Central regions, and emerging from the shuck in the Southwest; most areas of the state report the tart cherry crop looks about average, even after the recent freeze.
Japanese plums were out of the shuck while European plums were at shuck split.
Apples were at king bloom in the Northwest, late to full bloom in West Central and past bloom in the Southwest.
Pears were at full bloom in the Northwest and past bloom in the Southwest, with fruit at 10 millimeters in diameter. Blueberry bloom continued across the state.
Strawberry flower trusses were emerging from the crown; bloom has begun in some fields.
Wine grapes ranged from late bud swell to bud break while juice grape shoots in the Southwest were 3-6 inches long.
Vegetables
Asparagus harvest in Oceana County was in full swing last week as warmer temperatures were recorded throughout the region.
Carrot stands were also developing nicely in the area as light showers provided adequate moisture.
Rhubarb harvest showed significant progress in the East. Beds for peppers, tomatoes and cucumbers were being laid.
Sweet corn plantings in the Southwest continued to develop. Most freeze damaged fields were showing strong recovery
Peas in the area were around 6 inches tall, most plantings were not showing any sign of bloom.
Some zucchini and squash transplants have been set out under low tunnels.
Potato planting is on schedule across most of the state despite some delays early in the season.
Topsoil moisture was rated very short, 0 percent; short, 4 percent; adequate, 73 percent; surplus, 23 percent.
Subsoil moisture was rated very short, 0 percent; short, 3 percent; adequate, 70 percent; surplus, 27 percent.
The crop progress schedule (last week, previous week, 2016 and 5-year average) showed: corn planted, 67, 30, 61, 71; corn emerged, 16, 2, 15, 34; soybeans planted, 37, 11, 31, 47; winter wheat jointing, 76, 59, 78, NA; winter wheat headed, 2, 0, 4, 12; alfalfa hay, first cutting, 4, NA, NA, NA; other hay, first cutting, 2, NA, NA, NA; oats planted, 76, 66, 82, 86; oats emerged, 40, 23, 51, 65; sugarbeets planted, 99, 93, 99, 95; sugarbeets emerged, 70, 15, 61, NA.