Fruit Development Ahead of Pace
Published: Friday, June 14, 2024
The following is from the Michigan Field Office of USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service for the week ending June 9.
Despite widespread rain a few days last week, farmers were able to make good planting progress.
Corn and soybeans were rated 74 and 68% good to excellent, respectively.
Winter wheat headed was well ahead of last year and the five-year average.
Oats planted neared completion while dry edible bean planting continued.
First cutting hay progress was delayed in some fields due to persistent wet conditions. Hay in some of those fields was past prime.
The potato crop remained in good condition.
Other farm activities included tending to livestock, scouting, spraying and side dressing.
Fruit
Warmer temperatures have pushed fruit development ahead of normal. Growers were concerned with the wet weather and humidity which could challenge disease management programs this season.
In the Southwest, apples ranged from 34-45 mm. Fruit drop has been significant. In the Southeast, apples sized up to 30 mm.
In the West Central, the most advanced varieties ranged from 20-24 mm. In the Northwest, apples ranged from 10-17 mm.
In the Southwest, tart cherries continued to grow with pit hardening complete. In the Southeast, tart cherries were still at the pit hardening stage with fruit at 15mm. Cherries started to color. In the West Central, tart cherries ranged from 14-16 mm.
In the South, peaches averaged 40 mm with the pits still soft. In the West Central, peaches were at the green fruit stage with a sizing range of 24-29 mm.
In the South, blueberry fruit set was looking good. Green fruit was developing with earlier varieties showing hints of blue. Some farms in the Southwest reported poor foliage growth on Bluecrop and other varieties.
Vegetables
Growers began plantings of pumpkins, while squash and cucumbers continued to be seeded.
Sweet corn succession plantings were ongoing. Pepper plantings were beginning to flower.
Broccoli and beets were nearing harvest. Asparagus continued to be marketed in large quantities as producers were preparing to spray for purple spot.
Greens, such as lettuce and bok choy, radishes and peas began to be harvested.
Topsoil moisture was rated very short, 0%; short, 11%; adequate, 68%; surplus, 21%.
Subsoil moisture was rated very short, 0%; short, 4%; adequate, 78%; surplus, 18%.
The crop progress schedule (last week, previous week, 2023 and five-year average) showed: corn planted, 95, 86, 95, 89; corn emerged, 80, 66, 84, 74; soybeans planted, 87, 79, 96, 83; soybeans emerged, 69, 58, 77, 66; winter wheat headed, 87, 77, 78, 66; dry edible beans planted, 23, 13, 62, 37; dry edible beans emerged, 12, 5, 27, 11; alfalfa hay, first cutting, 46, 31, 63, 45; other hay, first cutting, 26, 12, 59, 28; oats planted, 95, 91, 98, 96; oats emerged, 90, 85, 92, 86; oats headed, 12, 7, 11, 6.
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