Only a Few Days Suitable for Fieldwork in Michigan
Published: Friday, May 24, 2019
The following is from the Michigan Field Office of USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service for the week ending May 19.
Most regions across the state experienced warmer temperatures and varying amounts of precipitation. Reporters in the Upper Peninsula noted that some fields were starting to dry out enough for small grains to be planted.
Counties in the southern region of the Lower Peninsula reported being hit by strong winds and heavy thunderstorms during the end of the week, which caused damage to some winter wheat fields.
However, weather during the earlier part of the week consisted of warmer temperatures and less precipitation, which allowed for more planting to occur.
Corn and soybeans continued to be planted on well-drained fields, and producers were able to plant more sugarbeets in the Thumb.
Pasture conditions were reported to be improving, but some were still too wet for livestock to be put out on.
Other activities included the spreading of manure and some herbicide applications.
There were 3.7 days suitable for fieldwork.
Vegetables
Cole crop planting continued in the Southeast as weather allowed. Asparagus harvest was ongoing in the West although it was slowed due to cool temperatures.
Carrot planting was making significant progress in the area.
Tomatoes and peppers were being transplanted in the Eastern region. Early planted potatoes were emerging in the Southwest.
Planting of peas, beets and onions continued in the Central region.
Fruit
Warmer weather at the end of last week aided fruit. Apples in the Northeast were mostly at tight-cluster. On the Ridge, apples were at pink with blooms opening on early cultivars.
Apples were in full bloom in the Southwest which was about a week behind normal.
Peaches were in full bloom on the Ridge. In the Southwest, where most flower buds were lost due to the cold winter, peach trees had delayed leaf bud development and some splitting trunks. There was a little bloom on the very best sites, but only on the lower buds of last year's shoot growth. This was only on certain varieties.
Tart cherry buds were at bud burst in the Northeast and full bloom was forecasted for Memorial Day weekend. Full bloom continued in the Southwest; petal fall began. Bloom lasted longer than normal due to cool temperatures. Most growers had applied at least one fungicide application.
Blueberry development in the Southwest was slow because of the cool weather. Bloom began in early varieties. It appears as though there was minimal winter damage and growers were anticipating a heavy bloom in the next few weeks as temperatures rise.
In the West Central, early varieties were just beginning to bloom around the Grand Junction area. The cool spring, which delayed bloom, helped to mitigate the potential crop from damage by any late frosts or freezes. Consequently, barring any negative weather events, growers anticipate a decent crop.
Topsoil moisture was rated very short, 0 percent; short, 1 percent; adequate, 50 percent; surplus, 49 percent.
Subsoil moisture was rated very short, 0 percent; short, 2 percent; adequate, 58 percent; surplus, 40 percent.
The crop progress schedule (last week, previous week, 2018 and 5-year average) showed: corn, planted 19, 5, 48, 54; corn, emerged 1, 0, 20, 21; soybeans, planted 10, 3, 27, 31; soybeans, emerged 1, 0, 10, 8; winter wheat, jointing 44, 27, 50, 61; barley, planted 31, 11, 37, NA; barley, emerged 8, 0, 14, NA; oats, planted 68, 45, 64, 75; oats, emerged, 32, 18, 40, 48; sugarbeets, planted 74, 46, 96, 92; sugarbeets, emerged 17, 9, 50, NA.
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