Temperate Weather Benefits Crops
Published: Friday, June 17, 2022
The following is from the Michigan Field Office of USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service for the week ending June 12.
As cool weather spread across much of the state this past week, producers continued planting between light rain events.
There were 4.2 days suitable for fieldwork.
Eastern Upper Peninsula counties were still experiencing abnormally dry weather. The Central Lower Peninsula reported slowed growth due to cool temperatures and light rain; winter wheat in these areas had improved as farmers were able to apply fertilizers. Emergence continued to be notable across all crops.
In the Lower Peninsula, corn and soybean planting were reported as mostly complete. The Thumb Region reported the planting season wrapping up, with only dry beans left to finish.
Alfalfa and other hay cuttings slowed slightly in the central and southernmost counties while farmers waited for rain patterns to move through. Insect activity had a slow start but was expected to pick up when the weather warms. So far there has been low disease pressure.
Other activities during the week included equipment maintenance, spreading fertilizer and spraying pesticides as conditions allowed.
Fruit
Temperate weather last week, coupled with a few days of rain benefited fruit crops. Tree fruit began their natural "June drop."
The peach crop in the Southwest became increasingly more known as fruit that will stay on trees continued to size while fruit that will drop did not.
Redhavens were around 25 mm in size in the Southwest. Hand thinning will begin soon there. Estimated harvest dates of Redhaven in Berrien County is Aug. 1. Crop potential was very good.
In the West Central, peaches were sizing well and were around 14 mm.
Tart cherries in the Southwest were 13 mm. The crop potential was very good. Tarts in the West Central ranged from 10 to 15 mm and ranged from 10 to 12 mm in the Northwest.
Apples in the Southwest were between 22 and 30 mm and between 15 and 20 mm on the Ridge. In the Northwest, fruit were around 16 mm.
Blueberry bloom ended in the Southwest.
Vegetables
After a slow start to the season, vegetable crops were making significant progress across the state.
Squash and cucumbers continued to be seeded and transplanted while melons and pumpkins were going in.
Celery and processing carrots were in and growing after a frustrating planting season.
Meanwhile, onions were developing multiple leaves on farms in the East, and asparagus harvest continued in the West Central region, with rain bringing welcome soil moisture. In the Southwest, stakes were being placed in all fruiting vegetable fields.
Early pepper plantings were starting to flower, and pest presence was detected on eggplants.
Topsoil moisture was rated very short, 0 percent; short, 4 percent; adequate, 81 percent; surplus, 15 percent.
Subsoil moisture was rated very short, 0 percent; short, 4 percent; adequate, 76 percent; surplus, 20 percent.
The crop progress schedule (last week, previous week, 2021 and 5-year average) showed: corn planted, 97, 93, 99, 90; corn emerged, 86, 74, 96, 76; soybeans planted, 90, 84, 99, 82; soybeans emerged, 74, 62, 94, 68; winter wheat headed, 86, 52, 92, 72; barley planted, 90, 86, 99, N/A; barley emerged, 74, 70, 98, N/A; dry edible beans planted, 62, 30, 72, 38; dry edible beans emerged, 4, 1, 25, N/A; alfalfa hay, first cutting, 54, 35, 69, 50; other hay, first cutting, 30, 16, 41, 29; oats emerged, 92, 89, 97, 83; oats headed, 10, 2, 21, 11.
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