Michigan Sees Heavy Snow, Ice
Published: Friday, April 20, 2018
The following is from the Michigan Field Office of USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service for the week ending April 15.
Winter-like conditions at week's end increased heavy snow cover in northern Michigan and contributed to overly saturated soils in southern Michigan.
The snow storm and cold temperatures in the Upper Peninsula left some producers in search of shelter for their young livestock. Northern Michigan also received snow and unseasonably cold temperatures.
The cold weather hindered the breaking of dormancy in winter wheat in many areas, and the ice possibly damaged winter wheat in other areas.
Some fieldwork took place in southern Michigan before the snow and ice storms halted progress towards the end of the week. A few fortunate producers were able to continue fertilizer applications, complete some tillage operations and drill oats. However, by the end of the week fieldwork was at a standstill due to the chilly, blizzard conditions.
There were 1.3 days suitable for fieldwork.
Fruit
Cool and dry conditions during March have delayed fruit crop development. While growers have used the time to make good progress in spring chores, including pruning, recent rain and snow events made planting of new trees and application of dormant sprays difficult.
A late winter storm brought strong winds, heavy snow and ice to many parts of the state on Saturday and into Sunday; growers were still assessing the potential damage to fruit crops.
In the Southwest and East, peaches, Japanese plums, apricots and sweet cherries were showing early bud swell. Apples, pears, European plums, tart cherries, grapes and raspberries remained mostly dormant.
Blueberry flower buds were mostly dormant, but a few varieties were at bud swell. Strawberries were greening up, with leaves very slowly emerging from the crown.
Topsoil moisture was rated very short, 0 percent; short, 1 percent; adequate, 50 percent; surplus, 49 percent.
Subsoil moisture was rated very short, 0 percent; short, 4 percent; adequate, 54 percent; surplus, 42 percent.
The crop progress schedule (last week, previous week, 2017 and 5-year average) showed: winter wheat, jointing 4, 2, 4, 3; oats, planted 4, 2, 6, 6; sugarbeets, planted 1, 0, 1, 4.
Return to Top of Page