News

Michigan crops battle dry conditions

A lack of rain in most of Michigan is creating very dry and uneven crop conditions.

The USDA says the state’s corn crop condition remains at 40 percent good to excellent with 81 percent silking and 30 percent in the dough stage.

Soybeans are 83 percent blooming; 47 percent setting pods and condition is 41 percent good to excellent.

The wheat crop is now 95 percent harvested, barley is at 26 percent and oats are at 49 percent.

Dry beans are 82 percent blooming, 46 percent setting pods and rated 54 percent good to excellent.  Sugarbeet condition is 64 percent good to excellent. The third cutting of alfalfa is 27 percent complete.

Harvest of sweet corn, squash, melons, tomatoes and eggplants is underway. Harvest of peaches, early apple varieties and blueberries is also ongoing.