Warmer Weather Speeds Dry Down
Published: Friday, October 6, 2023
The following is from the Michigan Field Office of USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service for the week ending Oct. 1.
Warmer than normal conditions last week aided in crop dry down.
There were 4.6 days suitable for fieldwork.
Soybean and corn for grain harvests remained behind the five-year averages. Dry bean harvest reached the halfway point.
Winter wheat planting was underway with progress trailing the average pace.
Sugarbeet harvest was behind the five-year average but was expected to pick up within the next few weeks once cooler weather arrives and piling can begin.
Other activities last week included cutting and baling hay, soil testing and planting cover crops.
Fruit
Warmer weather last week was less than ideal for coloration of apples. Many growers in the Northwest let fruit hang to improve color in both Honeycrisp and Gala.
Honeycrisp, Jonagold and Empire were being harvested in the West Central. Golden Delicious were ready for harvest in some locations. Sugar levels were good or excellent depending on the variety.
Gala and Honeycrisp harvest were wrapping up on the Ridge. Red Delicious and Ambrosia were both close to full maturity.
Southwest Michigan apple harvest focused on Fuji, Yellow Delicious and Red Delicious. Empire and Jonagold harvests were nearly complete there.
Golden Delicious harvest began in some orchards. Based on the maturity tests, Red Delicious was the next major variety in line for harvesting.
Topsoil moisture was rated very short, 4%; short, 18%; adequate, 70%; surplus, 8%.
Subsoil moisture was rated very short, 5%; short, 22%; adequate, 70%; surplus, 3%.
The crop progress schedule (last week, previous week, 2022 and five-year average) showed: corn dented, 92, 83, 95, 91; corn mature, 35, 22, 53, 55; corn harvested for grain, 7, 1, 9, 8; corn harvested for silage, 67, 46, 72, 74; soybeans dropping leaves, 73, 59, 81, 81; soybeans harvested, 5, 2, 13, 15; winter wheat planted, 14, 6, 33, 29; winter wheat emerged, 5, 0, 10, 9; dry edible beans harvested, 52, 33, 60, 50; alfalfa hay, third cutting, 95, 89, 100, 91; alfalfa hay, fourth cutting, 66, 59, 68, NA; other hay, third cutting, 75, 69, 90, 72; sugarbeets harvested, 14, 10, 25, 27.
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