Corn Condition Slips in Michigan
Published: Friday, August 20, 2021
The following is from the Michigan Field Office of USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service for the week ending Aug. 15.
Hot and humid weather resulted in widespread storms accompanied by significant precipitation across most areas of the state. There were 4.6 days suitable for fieldwork.
Drought conditions continued to decrease last week, with only 2 percent of the state now reported in moderate to severe drought.
The most persistently dry areas continue to be the eastern half of the Upper Peninsula and the counties surrounding Saginaw Bay in the eastern central Lower Peninsula.
Corn condition decreased slightly, with 76 percent of the crop currently rated in good to excellent condition. Nearly 60 percent of the crop has reached the dough stage as grain fill continued to trend well ahead of average.
Soybean condition improved, with 75 percent of the crop rated good to excellent. Suitable conditions continued to contribute to rapid setting of pods. A reported 92 percent of the crop was entering this stage.
Dry bean condition improved significantly with 58 percent of the crop rated good to excellent.
Winter wheat harvest reached its conclusion slightly ahead of the five-year average.
Hay producers worked toward completion of second cuttings as conditions allowed.
Third cuttings were in full swing as progress advanced well ahead of schedule. Some crop damage was reported following violent storms last week, although the full extent of damage is yet to be discovered.
Other activities included crop scouting, hay hauling and mid-season equipment maintenance.
Fruit
Spotted wing Drosophila and brown marmorated stink bug numbers increased last week.
Early season peach harvest began in the Northwest. Later season varieties like Canadian Harmony, Loring and PF17 were harvested in the Southwest. Fruit size and flavor was excellent across the state.
Recent moisture helped to size apples. Apples were beginning to color. San Jose scale increased substantially last week. Some apple varieties like McIntosh, were anticipated to begin harvest sooner than normal while others like Jonathan and Red Delicious, were anticipated to begin a bit later than normal.
Blueberry harvest was moving quickly. Jersey harvest wound down in the Southwest and Elliott harvest began there. Fruit size was excellent.
Vegetables
Hot and humid weather characterized last week as producers throughout the state were setting up their farm stands.
Foliar issues were detected in pumpkins and carrots, while downy mildew was present in cucumbers and melons.
Disease presence remained at a modest level for tomatoes but increased substantially in asparagus farms, which were also experiencing above average insect activity when compared to recent years.
Some sweet corn fields also displayed evidence of insect presence. Producers were applying fungicide and insecticide covers where necessary in order to protect their vegetable crops.
Topsoil moisture was rated very short, 0 percent; short, 10 percent; adequate, 77 percent; surplus, 13 percent.
Subsoil moisture was rated very short, 2 percent; short, 12 percent; adequate, 76 percent; surplus, 10 percent.
The crop progress schedule (last week, previous week, 2020 and 5-year average) showed: corn silking, 100, 97, 99, 91; corn dough, 59, 41, 56, 44; corn dented, 5, 0, 6, 5; soybeans blooming, 100, 96, 99, 91; soybeans setting pods, 92, 84, 89, 72; winter wheat harvested, 100, 96, 100, 98; barley mature, 84, 79, 75, N/A; barley harvested, 28, 24, 38, N/A; dry beans setting pods, 93, 78, 70, 62; alfalfa hay, second cutting, 96, 92, 96, 87; alfalfa hay, third cutting, 62, 47, 48, 36; other hay, second cutting, 94, 89, 83, 72; other hay, third cutting, 28, 15, 15, N/A; oats mature, 95, 90, 98, N/A; oats harvested, 63, 51, 63, 55.
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