Michigan Ag Connection - Most Michigan Growing Conditions Remain Satisfactory

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Most Michigan Growing Conditions Remain Satisfactory
Michigan Ag Connection - 08/03/2021

Growing conditions remained satisfactory across the majority of the State although rainfall decreased in most areas, according to Marlo D. Johnson, director of the Great Lakes Regional Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service. There were 5.5 days suitable for fieldwork in Michigan during the week ending August 1, 2021. Drought conditions decreased slightly with less than 6 percent of the State reported in moderate to severe drought. The driest areas included the eastern half of the Upper Peninsula and the counties surrounding Saginaw Bay in the eastern central Lower Peninsula. Corn condition deteriorated slightly with 79 percent of the crop currently rated in good to excellent condition. A reported 91 percent of the crop was in the silking stage as pollination continued to trend well ahead of schedule. Almost 20 percent of the crop has reached the dough stage. Soybean condition held steady with 72 percent of the crop rated good to excellent. Suitable conditions continued to contribute to rapid setting of pods. A reported 71 percent of the crop was entering this stage. After drastic improvement in previous weeks, dry bean condition receded with 38 percent of the crop rated good to excellent. Winter wheat harvest approached completion slightly ahead of average with a reported 93 percent of the crop threshed thus far. Hay producers worked towards completion of second cuttings as conditions allowed. Third cuttings were in full swing as progress advanced ahead of schedule. Other activities included crop scouting, hay hauling, and mid-season equipment maintenance.

Spotted wing drosophila numbers increased Statewide last week. Apples continued to size very well across the State and early varieties were beginning to color in the Southern part of the Lower Peninsula. Early varieties were expected to begin harvest about a week earlier than normal due to early spring heat. Peach harvest on early varieties like Brightstar began in the Grand Rapids area. The Redhaven series was anticipated to begin harvest in about 10 days there. Split pits were common. Recent hot weather was good for flavor development. Tart cherry harvest continued in the Northwest and was slowed by labor shortages at processors. Many processors were not running at full capacity so growers saw quotas on delivering fruit. Shortages of trucks and drivers also hampered harvest in the Northwest. Tart cherry harvest was complete in areas outside of the Northwest. Growers were actively applying post-harvest fungicides to control cherry leaf spot. Blueberry harvest was in full swing. In the Southwest, Bluecrop harvest wound down and growers were moving to later varieties like Jersey. Fruit size was excellent. Heavy rains in late June and early July caused fruit to be softer than growers would have preferred.

Continued disease presence in a variety of vegetable crops had producers throughout the State applying fungicides where necessary. These crops included asparagus, broccoli, and cabbage. Downy mildew was detected on cucumbers in multiple counties throughout Michigan. While the first harvest of pickling cucumbers was completed with minimal disease, producers continued with fungicide treatment plans for subsequent crops. Sweet corn fields displayed signs of insect activity and tar spot. Garlic harvest was finishing up on most farms while early harvest of onions was beginning, with some neck rot being reported in sweet onions. The majority of tomato fields were starting to bear ripe fruit, but some were still behind. Forecast for potato late blight was at medium risk for most of the State.

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