Planting Delays Continue; Hay Harvest Behind Pace
Published: Friday, June 7, 2019
The following is from the Michigan Field Office of USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service for the week ending June 2.
Most regions across the state experienced cooler temperatures and high amounts of precipitation. Reporters in the Upper Peninsula noted that most fields were still too wet for much planting to occur. Counties in the southern region of the Lower Peninsula reported heavy thunderstorms during the end of the week, which resulted in flooding in certain areas.
Corn and soybeans continued to be well below the five-year planting average, however some planting was able to occur on fields with drier and sandier soil.
Despite the wet weather, producers were able to finish up planting sugarbeets in the Thumb, and crop conditions were reported to be looking good.
In drier areas of the state, first cuts of alfalfa continued, but most fields were still too wet to put any equipment out on.
Spotters noticed that some winter wheat fields were beginning to show signs of disease, and the oversaturated soil was preventing producers from being able to spray them.
Pasture conditions were reported to be looking good, but some were still too wet to put cattle out on.
Other activities included the spreading of manure and some herbicide applications where weather permitted.
There were 2.2 days suitable for fieldwork.M
Vegetables
Sweet corn and snap beans were making good progress in the Southwest region.
Cucumbers, squash and zucchini were being seeded as weather allowed. Hops were reportedly 2-3 feet tall in some yards as growers continued training bines.
Asparagus harvest was ongoing in the West Central region as weather conditions continued to challenge harvest. Cole crop and pepper planting continued in the Southeast.
Potato planting was ongoing in the Central region although progress was fairly limited due to frequent precipitation and high soil moisture. Early plantings were emerging with good stands reported in most fields.
Fruit
Apple bloom ended in the Southwest. Honeycrisp was at 12 mm and Zestar was at 14 mm. Initial fruit drop in Gala occurred. Growers readied themselves to apply thinners.
In the West Central, apples were in petal fall. Despite less than ideal weather, pollinator activity appeared to be good. Mating disruption dispensers were placed to guard against codling moth.
In the Northwest, bloom began. Apples in the East saw rapid development. Fruit set appeared to be very good. Early apples were 12 mm while mid-season and late varieties ranged from 4 to 6 mm. Three varieties were reported to have a short crop; Honeycrisp, Mutsu and Crispin.
Blueberry fields were in full bloom in the Southwest. Bloom looked very good. In the West Central, blueberries were in full bloom. Cold, wet weather limited honey bee activity.
Tart cherries emerged from shuck in the Southwest. In the West Central, tart cherries were in petal fall. Cherry leaf infection periods were plentiful and frequent rains kept growers busy applying cover sprays.
Bloom in the Northwest occurred quickly. Weather on Memorial Day was very nice with good pollinator activity.
Peaches emerged from shuck in the Southwest and the West Central. The crop in the West Central looks good; growers anticipated the need to thin.
In the East, the crop was in shuck-split. Peach-leaf curl infestation was observed in some blocks.
Topsoil moisture was rated very short, 0 percent; short, 1 percent; adequate, 30 percent; surplus, 69 percent.
Subsoil moisture was rated very short, 0 percent; short, 1 percent; adequate, 40 percent; surplus, 59 percent.
The crop progress schedule (last week, previous week, 2018 and 5-year average) showed: corn, planted 42, 33, 78, 87; corn, emerged 17, 7, 58, 63; soybeans, planted 31, 23, 62, 73; soybeans, emerged 13, 5, 42, 45; winter wheat, jointing 79, 63, 82, 88; winter wheat, headed 5, 1, 41, 44; barley, planted 45, 38, 68, NA; barley, emerged 23, 17, 45, NA; alfalfa hay, first cutting 4, 2, 22, 25; other hay, first cutting 1, 0, 10, 14; oats, planted 81, 77, 87, 91; oats, emerged 61, 49, 72, 77; sugarbeets, planted 95, 90, 100, 100; sugarbeets, emerged 60, 35, 94, NA.
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