Some Planting Occurs, but Most Fields Still Too Wet
Published: Friday, May 3, 2019
The following is from the Michigan Field Office of USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service for the week ending April 28.
Most regions across the state experienced varying amounts of precipitation and cooler temperatures.
Reporters noted that areas in the Upper Peninsula were nearly snow free. In the Lower Peninsula, periodic rain showers continued to oversaturate the soil, making it difficult for much planting or fieldwork to occur.
Winter wheat continued to break dormancy, and conditions were reported to be improving. In areas where the weather permitted, sugarbeets and oats continued to be planted.
Some producers were also able to start planting corn and soybeans. 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 2.6 days suitable for fieldwork.
Vegetables
Field tomatoes and peppers were making strong progress in the Eastern region. Sweet corn planting started in the Southeastern region as weather allowed.
Asparagus growers in the West were preparing to begin harvest. Celery planting was ongoing in Ottawa County.
Hops in the Southwestern region showed strong growth with shoots 12-14 inches reported in some yards.
Cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower were being transplanted in the area as well.
Fruit
Warmer weather last week helped to spur fruit development. Apples in the East were a quarter-inch green to half-inch green. Most growers had applied a copper fungicide cover spray.
Gala in the northwest have started to push the tips of new leaves, but most other varieties still remained silvery and tight.
Growers in the West central report apples were anywhere from green tip to half-inch green. Apples were at tight cluster in the southwest.
Tart cherries in the northwest were in green side and buds were green and swollen in the West central; no flower tissue or bract leaves were showing.
Peaches in the East were mostly at the calyx green stage. Growers were cautioned to not prune until flower buds became visible so that winter injury could be ascertained.
In the West central, peach buds were beginning to leaf out, but no flower buds had emerged or opened.
In the southwest, peach leaves were expanding. There was some damage to peaches in the southwest due to cold temperatures in January. Some growers appeared to have lost most of the 2019 crop.
Blueberry fields in the West central were in different stages of development depending on the variety. Early varieties were at tight cluster while later variety development ranged from early green tip to half-inch green. It is still too early to ascertain whether there was any winter temperature injury.
In the southwest, blueberry flower buds burst and individual flowers were seen in the bud. Leaves were emerging but had not yet unfolded. Growers applied chemicals to suppress early season diseases.
Topsoil moisture was rated very short, 0 percent; short, 1 percent; adequate, 56 percent; surplus, 43 percent.
Subsoil moisture was rated very short, 0 percent; short, 2 percent; adequate, 60 percent; surplus, 38 percent.
The crop progress schedule (last week, previous week, 2018 and 5-year average) showed: corn, planted 2, 0, 3, 5; soybeans, planted 2, 0, 0, 1; winter wheat, jointing 14, 10, 9, 14; barley, planted 2, 1, 3, NA; oats, planted 23, 7, 21, 26; oats, emerged 1, 0, 4, 4; sugarbeets, planted 24, 12, 11, 32.
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