Mich. Crops Need Some Moisture
Published: Friday, July 1, 2022
The following is from the Michigan Field Office of USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service for the week ending June 26.
Weather conditions consisted of warm temperatures and high winds across the state. There were 6.5 days suitable for fieldwork.
None of the state is currently experiencing abnormally dry weather, based on the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Winter wheat and oats were needing moisture to fill out the grain but were not in critical condition. Emergence slowed across all crops due to the drier weather.
Side dressing corn began in the southern lower peninsula and post emergence herbicides were being applied to soybeans.
Dry bean emergence progressed nicely with very little insect or disease issues.
Great week for cutting alfalfa and other hay.
Other activities during the week included preparing combines and grain carts, spreading fertilizer and spraying pesticides.
Fruit
Near historical high temperatures pushed both fruit crop and insect development. Because of high evapotranspiration rates, trees on drought prone sites began showing stress. Growers were irrigating young and newly planted orchards.
Peaches were 40 mm in the Southwest. Hand thinning began. The crop potential remained good on most sites. In the West Central, peaches were 30 mm and growers were hand thinning.
Tart cherries in the Southwest were beginning to turn red. U-pick tart cherry harvest will begin soon there. In the Northwest, tarts were beginning to turn straw color. Tart cherries in the West Central were beginning to take on a blush and growers were determining when to apply Ethrel.
Apples ranged in size from 34 to 40 mm in the Southwest. The primary apple scab season was nearly over. Damage from first generation Codling moth was showing up.
Apples in the Northwest were around 25 mm and past the point of chemical thinners being effective so any crop thinning will now have to be done by hand.
Apples on the Ridge were around 25 mm with early varieties exceeding 30 mm. In the West Central, apples ranged from 24 to 35 mm.
Early blueberries in the Southwest were beginning to soften and reach final size. Fruit set looked good. In the West Central, early blueberries were approaching harvest. Varieties like Bluetta and Duke were at 5 percent blue. Growers were irrigating to ensure good quality fruit and good yields.
Vegetables
Variable weather conditions increased pest and disease presence on vegetable crops throughout the state, with producers applying pesticides and insecticides where necessary. Insect activity included leafhoppers on carrots and celery and onion thrips on onions.
Meanwhile, symptoms of Phytophthora rot were detected on pickles and peppers. Peas for processing were at various stages of bloom, and harvest was beginning on some farms in the Southwest.
Early tomatoes were starting to flower, although high nighttime temperatures posed concerns for pollination and fruit setting.
In the West Central region, asparagus harvest was wrapping up, with growers applying herbicides while shutting down their fields.
Topsoil moisture was rated very short, 10 percent; short, 34 percent; adequate, 55 percent; surplus, 1 percent.
Subsoil moisture was rated very short, 6 percent; short, 22 percent; adequate, 67 percent; surplus, 5 percent.
The crop progress schedule (last week, previous week, 2021 and 5-year average) showed: corn emerged, 98, 93, 100, 92; soybeans planted, 100, 97, 100, 94; soybeans emerged, 95, 88, 100, 86; soybeans blooming, 5, 0, 0, 1; winter wheat headed, 95, 91, 98, 91; winter wheat mature, 15, 2, 18, 14; barley planted, 100, 97, N/A, N/A; barley emerged, 97, 93, N/A, N/A; barley headed, 16, 1, 32, N/A; dry edible beans planted, 91, 86, 97, 76; dry edible beans emerged, 87, 73, 92, 59; alfalfa hay, first cutting, 87, 69, 91, 75; alfalfa hay, second cutting, 14, 1, 9, N/A; other hay, first cutting, 73, 47, 81, 55; other hay, second cutting, 6, 0, 4, N/A; oats emerged, 98, 95, N/A, N/A; oats headed, 44, 21, 58, 42.
Return to Top of Page