News

Good week for Michigan farmers

Warm, dry weather helped advanced Michigan’s wheat harvest and general crop development over the past week.

The USDA says Michigan’s corn crop condition improved three points to 69 percent good to excellent, 41 percent of the crop is silking.  Soybeans are 66 percent in bloom, 29 percent setting pods and condition dropped three points to 65 percent good to excellent.  The winter wheat crop is now 89 percent mature and 70 percent harvested, slightly ahead of the five year average.

Sugarbeet condition declined an additional percent to 67 percent good to excellent.  Dry beans are now 20 percent blooming, two percent setting pods and condition improved 11 points to 43 percent good to excellent.  Farmers have nearly completed the first cutting of alfalfa, 59 percent of second cutting and have started third cutting in pockets.

Harvest of early season peaches and plums continues with mostly good quality fruit. Cherry harvest is nearly complete for the season.  Spotted wind Drosphila reports have jumped to unusually high levels for July.  Blueberry, raspberry, blackberry and cucumber harvest also continues.