Much-Needed Rain Gives Boost to Michigan Crops
Published: Friday, July 3, 2020
The following is from the Michigan Field Office of USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service for the week ending June 28.
The majority of the state experienced warm conditions with varied rainfall that arrived late in the week. There were 5.9 days suitable for fieldwork.
Some localized, heavy rain fell late Friday through early Saturday, mostly in a band east to west and south of the greater Lansing area.
Corn and soybeans continued to progress nicely as both crops neared full emergence. Wheat continued heading out, as condition held steady.
Oats were heading out, as conditions showed significant improvement mostly attributed to the recent warm and dry weather.
Dry bean planting continued at a reasonable pace as favorable temperatures aided crop emergence. Hay harvest continued to show progress with generally drier conditions ideal for haymaking.
Other major activities included nitrogen application to corn, spraying herbicides in row crops, and early season crop scouting efforts.
Fruit
Passing storms midweek brought some needed precipitation and was followed by cooler temperatures which had fruit in good shape. Prior to the rain, growers applied supplemental irrigation.
In the West Central, blueberries grew rapidly. Early season varieties like Weymouth began to color. Blueberries in the Southwest were at green berry. Some of the earliest varieties began to color.
In the Northwest, tart cherries were sizing well. The purported Balaton crop was reported to be very good across most blocks. In the Southwest, tart cherries were just beginning to color.
Apples sized well last week. In the Northwest, apples were around 20 mm in size and were rapidly approaching the size when chemical thinners weren't very effective. On the Ridge, apples were 18 to 25 mm. The apple scab season for 2020 was over. Codling moth flight continued. Some blocks had very high numbers.
Growers actively controlled this pest with the hopes of reducing the second generation. In the East, apples were 30 mm and most growers had a decent crop. Hand thinning had not yet begun but will be needed in some blocks. Apples in the Southwest ranged from 30 to 45 mm. Fire blight symptoms were rare.
Peaches in the East were between 30 and 38 mm. Hand thinning continued in some blocks. Green peach aphids were found in many blocks. In the Southwest, peaches were around 1.5 inches in diameter and pits were beginning to harden. Red Haven harvest was anticipated to begin around Aug. 4 in central Berrien County.
Vegetables
Asparagus harvest was coming to a close in the West Central region. Staking and tying continued for outdoor tomatoes in the East, while harvest began for greenhouse tomatoes in the South.
In the Southeast region, broccoli, kale, collards are radishes were all being harvested. Transplanting of peppers and eggplants continued across the state as dry weather allowed, and many early fields showed initial fruit set.
Melons and cucumbers on plastic were beginning to flower and run vines.
Cucurbit downy mildew was confirmed in the West and pickle, cucumber and melon growers were encouraged to begin fungicide treatments. Early sweet corn started to tassel.
Topsoil moisture was rated very short, 14 percent; short, 27 percent; adequate, 56 percent; surplus, 3 percent.
Subsoil moisture was rated very short, 12 percent; short, 25 percent; adequate, 56 percent; surplus, 7 percent.
The crop progress schedule (last week, previous week, 2019 and 5-year average) showed: corn emerged, 96, 92, 78, 94; soybeans emerged, 97, 92, 62, 88; winter wheat headed, 88, 80, 85, 95; winter wheat mature, 4, 0, 2, 24; barley planted, 73, 70, 92, NA; barley emerged, 56, 51, 75, NA; dry edible beans planted, 74, 62, 55, 82; dry edible beans emerged, 60, 35, 20, 60; alfalfa hay, first cutting, 80, 70, 57, 78; alfalfa hay, second cutting, 2, 0, NA, NA; other hay, first cutting, 53, 46, 33, 55; other hay, second cutting, 1, 0, NA, NA; oats emerged, 89, 88, 90, 95; oats headed, 37, 14, 30, 55.
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