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Michigan farmers still behind with fieldwork, planting

Some planting has begun in Michigan’s lower peninsula, but very little field work has been done in the upper peninsula because of extreme wetness and cool temperatures.

USDA’s Marlo Johnson says it’s still too wet in most of the state, but farmers are getting started on some of the sandier soils.

Johnson says growers are concerned about the delay in corn and soybean planting, as well as nitrogen shortages and disease in winter wheat fields that were wet for prolonged periods of time.

Michigan farmers are getting some sweet corn planted in the Southwestern region, with some beans and peas in the Southeast.  The Asparagus harvest is going slowly.

Cold weather last week also slowed fruit crops, delaying blooms and buds, and some farmers reported frost injury on blueberries in Western Michigan.

As of Sunday, 5% of the state’s corn is planted, 3% of soybeans, and 11% of barley.  Although behind schedule, 45% of oats and 46% of the sugarbeets are planted.