Michigan Ag Connection - Dry Weather Keeps Michigan Irrigation Systems Running

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Dry Weather Keeps Michigan Irrigation Systems Running
Michigan Ag Connection - 08/15/2017

There were 6.1 days suitable for fieldwork in Michigan during the week ending Sunday, according to Marlo Johnson, director of the Great Lakes Regional Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service. Mild temperatures continued to provide favorable growing conditions and helped crops rebound from extreme rains earlier in the year in central and northern Michigan. Warm days and cool evening helped reduce some suffering, but crops were showing signs of moisture stress in the southern part of the State. Corn was maturing nicely in the upper two-thirds of the State. Further south, sections of the corn crop began to turn brown due to lack of moisture. The corn crop was progressing behind last year and the 5-year average. Some parts of the State were experiencing white mold in the soybeans, but overall the crop was faring quite well. Soybeans were developing ahead of last year's pace, but slightly behind the 5-year average. Producers were combining oats and wrapping up the winter wheat harvest. Sugarbeet harvest will be starting soon and second cutting hay harvest was still underway. Producers spent their week spreading lime on hay fields, manure hauling, planting cover crops, and seeding alfalfa.

Another dry week across the State has kept irrigation systems running to make up for moisture. Growing degree-day totals have remained about a week ahead of normal while harvest of summer fruit crops has been further ahead of that. Harvest of mid-season peach varieties continued at a rapid pace; quality continues to be good to excellent. Tart cherry harvest was nearly complete in the Northwest; growers noted that although fruit quality was generally good, recent rains and high temperatures have softened later harvested fruit and reduced brix levels. Japanese plum harvest continued while European plums continued to color and size well. Summer apple varieties continued to be harvested while later varieties ranged from 2.25 to 3 inches in diameter and continued to color well. Pears ranged from 2 to 2.5 inches in diameter. Grape clusters continued to fill out; growers continued to monitor and treat vineyards for disease and pests. Harvest of mid-season blueberry varieties was winding down while growers began picking late-season varieties; growers have been trying to stay ahead of the spotted wing Drosophila threat by harvesting ripe fruit quickly, but harvest labor has been a significant problem in some areas. Blackberry harvest was underway for summer bearing varieties while fall red raspberry harvest was expected to begin this week.

Pickle harvest continued in the Eastern region. Winter squash and pumpkins were setting fruit. Sweet corn harvest was ongoing. Broccoli and cauliflower harvest continued in the Southeast. Peppers were being harvested with many reports of good quality. Vegetable growers across the State were advised to continue scouting efforts for late season pests and disease.

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