The following is from the Michigan Field Office of USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Ser-vice for the week ending Oct. 18.
Much of the state experienced sporadic precipitation and below freezing nighttime temperatures. There were 4.7 days suitable for fieldwork.
Cool and wet conditions delayed some fieldwork, although many producers were able to continue harvesting efforts in-between showers. Pasture and range conditions deteriorated slightly, which was likely at-tributed to low nighttime temperatures.
Corn and soybean harvest continued to make pro-gress despite the unfavorable weather conditions.
Corn harvested for grain was at 24 percent with a reported moisture content of 22 percent.
Soybeans harvested was at 64 percent with a reported moisture content of 13 percent.
Corn silage harvest concluded ahead of both the five-year average and the previous year.
Sugarbeet harvest continued as weather allowed. Late season cuttings of hay continued as weather allowed although progress was slowed and it is likely that the season was reaching its conclusion.
Dry bean harvest continued to progress in spite of the challenging conditions.
Other activities included seeding winter wheat and cover crops, engagement in crop marketing activities, and maintenance of harvest equip-ment.
Fruit
Apple harvest progressed quickly last week. Growers universally reported very strong demand for apples at farm stands, U-pick apples and farmers markets.
In the Southwest, Red Delicious and Ida Red harvest was complete and Fuji was nearly complete. Rome and Braeburn harvest began. Strong winds early in week caused some fruit drop. Watercore was increas-ingly more common in the Southwest.
On the Ridge, fruit color, finish, firmness and brix levels were all very good to excellent on nearly all varieties. Growers were about 80 percent complete with harvest there. Most growers had adequate labor for harvest but packing lines were looking for la-bor.
In the East, Red Delicious, Fuji, Northern Spy and Rome harvest was well along. Ida Red, Crispin and Cameo harvest began.
Topsoil moisture was rated very short, 7 percent; short, 7 percent; adequate, 79 percent; surplus, 9 percent.
Subsoil moisture was rated very short, 11 percent; short, 14 percent; adequate, 69 percent; surplus, 6 percent.
The crop progress schedule (last week, previous week, 2019 and 5-year average) showed: corn mature, 91, 82, 57, 84; corn harvested for grain, 24, 16, 12, 23; corn harvested for silage, 100, 99, 69, 88; soybeans dropping leaves, 99, 96, 88, 95; soybeans mature, 97, 86, NA, NA; soybeans harvested, 64, 42, 32, 47; winter wheat planted, 81, 67, 60, 66; winter wheat emerged, 45, 32, 31, 41; dry edible beans harvested, 91, 82, 64, 80; alfalfa hay, third cutting, 100, 99, 82, NA; alfalfa hay, fourth cutting, 75, 71, NA, NA; other hay, third cutting, 87, 84, 47, NA; other hay, fourth cutting, 25, 22, NA, NA; sugarbeets harvested, 47, 39, 22, 32.