News

Severe storms help and hurt Michigan crops

Storms last week brought much needed relief to dry areas of northern Michigan and destruction from high winds to other parts of the state.

The USDA says the state’s corn crop condition declined to 42 percent good to excellent and five percent of the crop is silking.

Soybeans are 23 percent blooming and 46 percent good to excellent.

The wheat crop is now 70 percent mature, 14 percent harvested and 46 percent good to excellent.

Dry beans are 84 percent emerged, four percent blooming and rated 57 percent good to excellent.  Sugarbeet condition is 63 percent good to excellent. The first cutting of alfalfa is nearly complete, and second cutting is at 32 percent.

Harvest of early planted sweet corn, zucchini and cucumbers is ongoing. Harvest of blueberries and tart cherries continues while peaches are starting to ripen.