News

Mixed month for weather in Michigan

Conditions were mixed in Michigan during January, but temperatures and precipitation were both above average.

The USDA says the month started off warm and dry in many areas, but cooled off as January progressed, and light precipitation gave way to a couple of major storms, before giving way to another round of higher temperatures with rain melting snow cover.

That’s a concern for wheat producers, some of whom reported ponding and ice sheeting, especially in later planted fields, with 40% of the crop called good to excellent, a drop of 9% from the end of December.

Those conditions have also delayed late corn harvest activity, fall tillage, and other fieldwork in parts of the state.

With the warmer temperatures, very little damage has been reported to fruit crops, but that could lead to disease and pest issues later in the year, and while feed and straw supplies are holding up for livestock producers, some pastures have been torn up, which might mean poor conditions in spring.

The USDA’s weekly national crop progress and condition reports resume in April.