Michigan Ag Connection - Michigan Receives Much-Needed Rain

Michigan Ag News Headlines

Michigan Receives Much-Needed Rain
Michigan Ag Connection - 07/14/2020

Many areas received much-needed precipitation late in the week, according to Marlo Johnson, director of the Great Lakes Regional Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service. There were 5.4 days suitable for fieldwork in Michigan during the week ending Sunday. Soil moisture levels across the State showed a significant increase as several weather stations reported receiving between 0.5 and 3.0 inches of precipitation during the week. Several reporters detailed improvement in crop conditions, although areas that did not receive significant precipitation were still showing signs of stress. Corn and soybean fields with adequate moisture continued to progress nicely as above average temperatures aided growth. Oats and barley continued to head out as wheat harvest began. The first cutting of hay was nearly complete as growers continued to make progress on the second. Other activities included scouting for pests and spraying herbicides and insecticides in row crops as conditions allowed.

Hot dry weather continued until the end of the week when much needed rain finally arrived and helped to provide respite to parched fruit. Growers had been spending much of their time addressing irrigation prior to the rains. Apples in the East continued to size well despite the dry weather. Most apples there were between 1.625 and 1.75 inches. Hand thinning was underway. In the Southwest, apples ranged from 1.5 to 2 inches. Peaches in the East were between 1.375 and 1.5 inches. Pit hardening was complete. Green peach aphids continued to be found. Early peach varieties in the Southwest were coloring. The second flight of oriental fruit moth began. Tart cherry harvest in the Southwest began. The crop was very light. In the Northwest, tart cherries raced towards harvest with fruit sizing between 3 and 7 millimeters in the past week. Fruit were beginning to color and harvest will commence soon. In the Southwest and West Central, harvest of early blueberry varieties continued. Spotted wing Drosophila were trapped with counts high in some blocks.

Broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower harvest were all underway in the East, while cabbage harvest advanced in the Southeast. High temperatures continued to impact crops. Limited bee activity may have a possible impact on pollination in squash and pumpkins. Hoop house tomatoes, eggplant and peppers have potential for some blossom drop with the sustained hot conditions. Producers scouted for powdery mildew as vine crops started to set fruit and flower. Most potatoes in the South were in bloom stage. Potato leafhopper pressure remained high statewide and some damage to plants was observed. Risk of late blight (Phytophthora infestans) in potatoes and tomatoes was assessed as low to moderate due to the prolonged warm, dry weather.

Other Michigan Headlines