Corn Planting Advances to 50%
Published: Friday, May 24, 2024
The following is from the Michigan Field Office of USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service for the week ending May 19.
Producers welcomed much needed warm, dry weather to make good planting progress last week.
There were 4.4 days suitable for fieldwork.
Wheat stripe rust made an unexpected appearance in winter wheat fields across the state. Growers were urged to remain diligent in their fungicide applications as the crop begins to head out.
The crop was 72% good to excellent condition, unchanged from the previous week.
Corn and soybean emergence was quick and even and stands appeared very good in most areas.
Weevil influxes spurred early harvest of first cut alfalfa hay in some areas. Haylage harvest began in southern Michigan.
Other activities included scouting, tillage, fertilizing and spraying.
Fruit
With moderate to warm temperatures, tree growth and fruitlet development were steady last week. With tree fruit setting, growers have moved into preparation for summer cover sprays.
Growers took advantage of a few warm days last week to apply thinning sprays where needed.
In the Southwest, apples ranged from 12 to 18 mm in diameter. In the Southeast, apples were 7 mm on average.
In the Southwest, tart cherries were between 10 and 11 mm. In the Southeast, cherries ranged from 5-9 mm. In the Northwest, cherries were at late petal fall and in the West Central were between shuck split and green.
In the Southwest, peaches were between 10 and 14 mm. In the Southeast peaches were hit the hardest by spring frosts. Remaining fruit were around 11 mm.
In the South, blueberry bloom was wrapping up and small green fruit were developing.
Vegetables
Asparagus beetles in asparagus were found in the West Central region, prompting preventative spraying.
Regular rains have prevented the need for irrigation to promote carrot emergence.
Producers continued transplanting cucumbers, squash, field tomatoes and brassicas like cabbage and brussels sprouts. Cabbage maggot was found on turnips.
Producers were continuing succession planting of the early sweet corn crop. On some farms, green beans emerged, and peas were flowering.
Topsoil moisture was rated very short, 1%; short, 5%; adequate, 75%; surplus, 19%.
Subsoil moisture was rated very short, 0%; short, 5%; adequate, 77%; surplus, 18%.
The crop progress schedule (last week, previous week, 2023 and five-year average) showed: corn planted, 50, 26, 52, 52; corn emerged, 20, 4, 15, 15; soybeans planted, 42, 22, 50, 46; soybeans emerged, 17, 7, 12, 12; winter wheat jointing, 87, 74, 74, 73; winter wheat headed, 21, 1, 5, 3; alfalfa hay, first cutting, 6, 0, 1, 1; other hay, first cutting, 3, 0, 1, 1; oats planted, 81, 71, 71, 76; oats emerged, 61, 41, 31, 45; sugarbeets emerged, 75, 60, 81, 63.
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