Only 3 Days Suitable for Fieldwork
Published: Friday, May 17, 2024
The following is from the Michigan Field Office of USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service for the week ending May 12.
Producers took advantage of sunny days between rain events to plant crops.
There were 3.2 days suitable for fieldwork.
Sugarbeet and oat progress continued ahead of historical averages. No major insect or disease issues have been reported in winter wheat.
Corn and soybean emergence picked up speed as soil temperatures warmed up. Potato planting was proceeding on schedule.
Other activities included scouting, tillage, fertilizing, and spraying.
Fruit
Consistent precipitation this Spring supported nutrient intake and overall tree health. Warmer temperatures led to rapid tree growth.
Growers finished up tree trimming, brush cleanup and tree planting. The sunshine and warm weather have been perfect for pollination.
Apples ranged from 5 to 11 mm in the Southwest. Most apple cultivators were at petal fall in the Southeast. In the Northwest and West Central, apples were between petal fall and full bloom with some at King bloom in the Northwest.
Low temperatures, the week before last, reduced crop potential for cherries in the South. There were isolated reports of damage in the Northwest.
Tart cherries were 10 mm in the Southwest. In the West Central, tart cherries were in bloom to early petal fall.
Peaches were out of the shuck in the Southwest. In the Southeast and West Central, peaches were at petal fall and fruit set. Peach yield potential was hardest hit by the frost event.
Blueberries were reaching full bloom in the South.
Vegetables
Above normal temperatures expedited the timeline for harvesting and planting of many Michigan vegetable crops.
Hoophouse tomatoes began to be harvested, while early field tomatoes, squash and cucumbers began to be transplanted. Irrigation pipes were laid for cabbage and other brassicas as transplanting continued for these crops.
Asparagus harvest began in the West Central region, with many producers noting excellent tip quality. Direct seeded onions were in the flag stage on the east side of the state.
Early sweet corn succession plantings proceeded where field conditions allowed.
Potatoes have emerged and were growing due to the moisture and warmer weather.
Topsoil moisture was rated very short, 0%; short, 3%; adequate, 66%; surplus, 31%.
Subsoil moisture was rated very short, 0%; short, 4%; adequate, 75%; surplus, 21%.
The crop progress schedule (last week, previous week, 2023 and five-year average) showed: corn planted, 26, 16, 24, 30; corn emerged, 4, 0, 2, 4; soybeans planted, 22, 13, 28, 29; soybeans emerged, 7, 3, 2, 3; winter wheat jointing, 74, 66, 53, 58; winter wheat headed, 1, 0, 3, 1; oats planted, 71, 54, 47, 59; oats emerged, 41, 26, 14, 30; sugarbeets planted, 95, 75, 92, 79; sugarbeets emerged, 60, 50, 51, 44.
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