Soils Too Saturated for Fieldwork; Fruit Trees Budding
Published: Friday, April 26, 2019
The following is from the Michigan Field Office of USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service for the week ending April 21.
Most regions across the state experienced cool, damp weather for much of the week. Reporters noted that snow cover in the Upper Peninsula was finally starting to recede.
In the Lower Peninsula, periodic rain showers continued to oversaturate the soil, making it difficult for much planting or fieldwork to occur.
In the drier and warmer areas of the state, winter wheat continued to break dormancy, and conditions were reported to be improving.
In areas where the weather permitted, oats and sugarbeets continued to be planted. However, most fields were still too cold and wet for much planting to occur.
Other activities included the spreading of manure, and equipment preparation for the upcoming planting season.
There were 1.8 days suitable for fieldwork.
Fruit
A cool April slowed fruit development. Apples on the Ridge were in green tip and at silver tip in the southwest and southeast. Growers across the state began to turn their thoughts to cover sprays. Some growers were able to make copper applications that targeted bacterial pathogens.
Orchards remain very wet, which has largely prevented any fruit planting. Peach leaf buds burst and leaves were emerging in the southwest. Wine grape growers were cutting back winter damaged vines.
Topsoil moisture was rated very short, 0 percent; short, 1 percent; adequate, 42 percent; surplus, 57 percent.
Subsoil moisture was rated very short, 0 percent; short, 1 percent; adequate, 53 percent; surplus, 46 percent.
The crop progress schedule (last week, previous week, 2018 and 5-year average) showed: winter wheat, jointing 10, 6, 6, 7; barley, planted 1, 0, 0, NA; oats, planted 7, 3, 10, 11; sugarbeets, planted 12, 5, 1, 12.
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