Rain, Humidity Accelerate Crop Growth in Michigan
Published: Friday, June 15, 2018
The following is from the Michigan Field Office of USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service for the week ending June 10.
Scattered showers alleviated some dry spells in some areas and caused more wet fields in other areas. Due to the rains, some producers struggled to get spring planting complete.
Wet weather caused some replanting of corn and soybeans and had some producers contemplating a switch from corn to soybeans completely. Planting progress of both crops continued to trail behind last year and the 5-year average.
Barley and oat seeding continued at a steady pace while dry bean planting progress surpassed the previous year average.
Winter wheat continued to be rated in mostly good condition. About three-fourths of the crop was headed and beyond, ahead of last year, but slightly behind normal.
A few producers were able to chop hay for bunkers and silos. Other activities included harvesting dry hay, weed spraying and side dressing corn.
There were 5.2 days suitable for fieldwork.
Fruit
The extended stretch of heat and moisture kept foliage and fruit growth accelerating rapidly, with portions of the state running ahead of 5-year averages in crop development. Variations in rainfall left some areas soggy in low spots and sandy soils too dry for new tree plantings.
Apples were sizing quickly across the state; the first round of thinning began in the Northwest while growers further south were beginning their second application.
Peach fruit ranged in diameter from 6 to 22 millimeters; growers in central counties were thinning to achieve desired fruit size and minimize splits.
Some sweet cherries began to turn red in the East and Northwest, but they were expected to drop before harvest.
The tart cherry crop looked sizable for most regions, with little growth occurring over the past week.
Apricots reached 1.2 inches in diameter while pears ranged from 16 to 20 millimeters in diameter.
European plums ranged in diameter from 12 to 18 millimeters while Japanese varieties have reached up to 25 millimeters.
Blueberries were sizing rapidly in the East and Southwest while in West Central, bloom was nearing completion.
Bloom was underway for juice grapes in the Southwest as canes continued to grow substantially.
Strawberry harvest began in the East, with most regions are expected to follow soon; quick maturation in the berries due to high temperatures had some growers concerned over the final size.
Raspberry bloom has ended, and fruitlets were beginning to form in summer varieties.
Vegetables
Sweet corn was making good progress as plantings continued in the Southwest region. Early seeded peppers and tomatoes were at first bloom with some being staked and tied.
Asparagus harvest in the West Central region slowed due to cool temperatures. Carrots were making good progress and pest pressure was fairly low.
The earliest green bean plantings were starting to flower in the Southeast. Pepper planting was ongoing as weather allowed.
Leafy greens, herbs and transplants were being sold at most markets in the Eastern region. Pickling cucumber plantings were beginning.
Early planted potatoes in the Central region were emerging with good stands. First plantings of peas were blooming as additional plantings continued.
Topsoil moisture was rated very short, 3 percent; short, 9 percent; adequate, 67 percent; surplus, 21 percent.
Subsoil moisture was rated very short, 1 percent; short, 9 percent; adequate, 70 percent; surplus, 20 percent.
The crop progress schedule (last week, previous week, 2017 and 5-year average) showed: corn planted, 89, 80, 95, 97; corn emerged, 77, 61, 81, 88; soybeans planted, 77, 65, 86, 91; soybeans emerged, 63, 45, 65, 73; winter wheat jointing, 89, 84, 93, NA; winter wheat headed, 76, 46, 74, 81; barley planted, 71, 69, NA, NA; barley emerged, 55, 46, NA, NA; dry beans planted, 42, 14, 20, NA; dry beans emerged, 12, 1, NA, NA; alfalfa hay, first cutting, 48, 24, 54, NA; other hay, first cutting, 27, 11, 34, NA; oats planted, 93, 88, 89, 96; oats emerged, 80, 74, 80, 89; oats headed, 7, 1, 11, 13.
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