Michigan Ag Connection - Michigan Asparagus Harvest Done; Sweet Cherries Start

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Michigan Asparagus Harvest Done; Sweet Cherries Start
Michigan Ag Connection - 06/28/2016

There were 6.2 days suitable for fieldwork in Michigan during the week ending Sunday, according to the Great Lakes Regional office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service. The previous week consisted of some intermittent rain which was welcomed by many farmers, but overall, the vast majority of farmers across the State are in need of more rain. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, portions of twelve south central and southeastern counties were identified as abnormally dry, which has begun to adversely affect field crop condition in those areas. The Department of Natural Resources reports very high to extreme fire danger in much of Central and Thumb Regions. Corn and soybeans were starting to show signs of stress from the lack of rainfall; farmers also indicated that chemicals on soybeans and corn were not working effectively due to the lack of moisture. Wheat condition has been declining in some areas as well, and sugarbeets have also been displaying signs of stress. The dry weather has allowed for many farmers to harvest dry hay, and some farmers indicated that they are sidedressing and spraying corn. Dry bean planting was nearly completed, and emergence progressed well in areas with better soil conditions.

Sweet cherry harvest began in the southwest and was expected to begin soon in the east and west central regions; bird pressure has been reported as heavy as the fruit ripened. Tart cherries were also gaining size and coloring in the southwest and east while in the northwest, tarts cherries had not begun to size yet. Apples ranged from 1 to 2 inches in diameter; many areas were expecting an average crop, although Honeycrisp blocks in the east reported high fruit drop. Peaches were 1.5 to 2 inches in diameter and growing fast; hand thinning of peaches continued. Pears were at 1 to 1.25 inches in diameter while plums ranged from 20 millimeters in diameter for European types and over an inch for Japanese types. Juice grapes were at the buckshot berry stage while wine grape hybrid varieties were in bloom. Vinifera bloom was ending in the southwest while it had yet to start in the northwest. Strawberry harvest continued in the east and west central region; dry weather conditions have brought buyers to farms and kept fruit rot in check, but has kept fruit size small for later pickings. Blueberries were at 10 to 13 millimeters and in the green fruit stage; rain events in the last week have helped with sizing. Summer raspberries were nearly ready for harvest while cranberries were still blooming.

Harvest of west Michigan asparagus fields were completed by the end of the week. Onion growth continued to be favored by weather conditions. Fresh market cucumbers were on their first to third picking, while seeding of pickling cucumbers continued in the eastern region. Winter squash and pumpkins were being seeded. In the southwest, yellow squash, zucchini and cucumber harvest had begun. Potatoes were in full bloom in early planted varieties. Colorado potato beetle was evident. Sweet corn tassels on early planted varieties were expected to emerge next week.

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