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Michigan Ag News Headlines |
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Cool Temps, Rain Hindering Some Michigan Crops
Michigan Ag Connection - 06/27/2017
There were 3.3 days suitable for fieldwork in Michigan during the week ending Sunday, according to Marlo Johnson, director of the Great Lakes Regional Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service. This past week producers were greeted with a large
amount of rain in a matter of a few days. Some areas in central Michigan experienced excessive rain ranging from 1 to 10 inches adding to already wet conditions, while others in the southern part of the State received much needed rain and some could have
used a bit more moisture. The significant rainfall aided crop growth and development, but hindered fieldwork. Some areas in the Upper Peninsula were awaiting warmer temperatures to push crop development. Producers managed to make only minimal progress
on harvesting hay due to frequent rain showers, and most weed spraying to soybean and sugarbeet fields were delayed by the wet weather. Corn looked good and some side dressing occurred, where weather permitted. Soybeans also progressed nicely, but
there was water damage to both crops. Dry beans and sugarbeet fields also sustained damage. Some fields were completely destroyed after being underwater for more than 24 hours, and some replanting was expected, if possible. Winter wheat continued to
mature steadily in good shape; however, various wheat fields appeared to be showing signs of blight.
Seasonal temperatures combined with recent precipitation events brought rapid growth to all fruit crops. Many growers continued to irrigate to compensate for below average rainfall earlier in the month, and some growers reported new plantings have showed
poor growth due to lack of water. Strawberry harvest continued in many areas of the State, with some producers ending harvest early due to small, poor quality fruit. Blueberries remained in the green fruit stage, but continued sizing. Juice grapes were at late
bloom to buckshot-sized fruit, while vinifera grapes were at full bloom with 2 to 3 feet of shoot growth. Peach hand-thinning continued; in the Southwest, fruit of early ripening peach varieties were noticeably larger than later season varieties. Sweet cherry fruit
was sizing rapidly and gaining color while tart cherries ranged from 14 to 20 millimeters in diameter and were starting to color; cherry producers expressed concerns that spotted wing Drosophila (SWD) were being observed and trapped earlier than usual this
year. Plums were sizing rapidly after pit hardening, but in the East, growers reported some Japanese varieties have little or no crop on them. Apple and pear growers reported that fruit have sized well recently but frost damage has become more evident as the
crop has grown; in some parts of the State, side blossoms in apples that opened after the May freeze events have set fruit, leading to larger than expected crop loads in blocks damaged by the May 8 freeze.
Tomatoes were in various stages of growth and harvest without any reports of serious disease pressure in the East. Mustard greens, collards and kale harvest had begun. Peppers were flowering and setting fruit, while most zucchini and yellow summer squash
plants were beginning to bloom. In the Southeast, sweet corn was in different stages, and potato plantings were flowering. Early planted cabbage as well as kale harvests were underway. Also, muskmelon and watermelon were blooming and fruit were beginning
to form. Growers in the West Central region were advised to scout for pests in asparagus, celery and cucurbit fields to prevent outbreaks later in the season.
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