Peach Harvest Underway in Area
Published: Friday, August 18, 2023
The following is from the Michigan Field Office of USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service for the week ending Aug. 13.
Last week the state saw slightly cooler temperatures for this time of year.
There were 4.5 days suitable for fieldwork.
The state did not receive as much precipitation as the week prior, but soil moisture supplies remained adequate.
Michigan corn and soybean condition improved last week due to adequate rainfall and favorable temperatures. Both crops remain behind last year and their five-year reproductive averages.
Wheat harvest and second cutting hay wrapped up for several counties in the west and southeast parts of the lower Peninsula.
Oat and barley progress improved but remained behind the five-year average due to the dry weather early in the season.
Other activities last week included applying fungicides, planting cover crops, and prepping harvest equipment.
Fruit
Moderate temperatures with ample rainfall were beneficial for fruit development.
In the Southwest, apple harvest of early season varieties such as Lodi and Transparent have been ongoing.
Peach harvests of Redhaven, PF Lucky 13, Starfire, PF9-007 were underway in central Berrien County. Weather conditions have generally been good for fruit sizing, blush and sugar development.
In the Northwest, farmers started to harvest early peaches. Peach quality across the state was excellent so far.
Blueberry harvest was in full swing. Bluecrop harvest was wrapping up and a few farmers began harvesting Elliot in the Grand Junction area. Blueberry u-picks remained open.
In the Northwest, tart cherry harvest was finished. Fruit quality for tart cherries was excellent this season.
Vegetables
Vegetable producers across the state moved forward with their field activities, with cool temperatures creating pleasant working conditions.
Carrots and eggplants were maturing nicely, and late plantings of sweet corn were going in.
Yellow onions were being lifted in preparation for harvest, while sweet onion harvest was proceeding smoothly.
Harvest was also rolling along for watermelons and zucchini, with good yields being reported.
Cucurbit downy mildew persisted in plaguing cucumber fields throughout Michigan, prompting continued alertness from growers in order to protect their vegetable crops.
Topsoil moisture was rated very short, 2%; short, 13%; adequate, 72%; surplus, 13%.
Subsoil moisture was rated very short, 4%; short, 18%; adequate, 69%; surplus, 9%.
The crop progress schedule (last week, previous week, 2022 and five-year average) showed: corn silking, 86, 78, 96, 91; corn dough, 38, 25, 53, 44; corn dented, 2, 0, 10, 5; soybeans blooming, 85, 82, 97, 92; soybeans setting pods, 70, 54, 81, 73; winter wheat harvested, 90, 86, 96, 96; barley mature, 65, 50, 65, 70; barley harvested, 25, 10, 25, 28; dry edible beans blooming, 85, 81, 92, NA; dry edible beans setting pod, 25, 14, 61, 63; alfalfa hay, second cutting, 76, 72, 93, 89; alfalfa hay, third cutting, 40, 30, 41, 40; other hay, second cutting, 67, 64, 85, 77; other hay, third cutting, 15, 8, 27, NA; oats mature, 70, 50, 77, NA; oats harvested, 35, 15, 47, 50.
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