Michigan Crops Need More Rain
Published: Friday, August 26, 2022
The following is from the Michigan Field Office of USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service for the week ending Aug. 21.
Despite temperate weather and scattered rains last week, Michigan field crops are still in need of precipitation as grain fill continues. There were 5.2 days suitable for fieldwork.
The latest U.S. Drought Monitor continued to report the Central Lower Peninsula as abnormally dry and counties in East Central Michigan and the Thumb Region as in moderate drought.
Oat yield was reported as average, and harvest was following historical trends.
Farmers were preparing for corn silage harvest. Soybeans and dry beans showed stress due to the lack of soil moisture.
Second cutting other hay was reported as short and some insect problems were reported with alfalfa. Pest activity was trending lower than previous years.
Other activities during the week included spraying pesticides, spreading manure and making hay.
Fruit
A very nice week temperature wise was welcomed last week. Highs were in the 70s and lows were in the 50s in most fruit growing areas. Scattered rains finished out the week.
San Jose Scale and Codling Moth populations were high in the Northwest. The invasive pest, spotted lanternfly, was found for the first time in Michigan recently. Growers are cautioned to be on the lookout for this pest.
Tart cherry harvest was complete in the Northwest. Quality remained very good especially considering the prolonged harvest season.
Apple growers were gearing up to begin harvest on widely planted varieties.
Apple quality appeared to be excellent and apples were plentiful. Early varieties like Pristine and Paula Red were harvested around Hart last week.
Early variety harvest on varieties like Paula Red, Ginger Gold and Zestar were anticipated to begin in a week or so on the Ridge.
Peach harvest continued; varieties like PF17, Canadian Harmony and Loring were harvested in the Southwest. Some fruit splitting due to recent rains was reported there.
Mid-season blueberry harvest was wrapping up in most areas.
Vegetables
Michigan vegetable producers enjoyed cooler weather conditions as they continued their field activities. Harvest of all cucurbits, including some early pumpkins, was underway.
Some growers reported seeing blossom end rot in their summer squash and zucchini.
Potato harvest was proceeding smoothly, with demand remaining steady and the crop in good condition. No late blight had been reported in Michigan to date.
Field sweet corn was getting past the milk stage, and all fruiting vegetables were being picked now.
In the Southwest, symptoms related to high heat at bud formation were appearing on crops, with eggplants, peppers and tomatoes coming in with misshapen fruit in some instances.
Topsoil moisture was rated very short, 11 percent; short, 21 percent; adequate, 63 percent; surplus, 5 percent.
Subsoil moisture was rated very short, 13 percent; short, 34 percent; adequate, 51 percent; surplus, 2 percent.
The crop progress schedule (last week, previous week, 2021 and 5-year average) showed: corn dough, 71, 55, 75, 61; corn dented, 24, 11, 18, 15; soybeans setting pods, 94, 83, 95, 82; barley mature, 80, 67, 88, N/A; barley harvested, 42, 27, 35, N/A; dry edible beans blooming, 97, 92, N/A, N/A; dry edible beans setting pods, 83, 65, 96, 77; dry edible beans dropping leaves, 2, N/A, 7, N/A; alfalfa hay, second cutting, 96, 94, 99, 92; alfalfa hay, third cutting, 59, 43, 67, 51; other hay, second cutting, 95, 87, 97, 80; other hay, third cutting, 38, 29, 34, N/A; oats mature, 92, 79, 99, N/A; oats harvested, 69, 50, 70, 69.
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