By Andi Anderson
Last week’s cooler temperatures and limited rainfall helped field crops in Michigan progress toward maturity, according to Marlo D. Johnson, Director of the USDA NASS Great Lakes Regional Office. There were 6.2 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending September 8, 2024.
Corn and soybeans have entered their final growth stages, with seed corn harvest ongoing in the Southwest. Dry bean growers were preparing to begin their harvest, while a few farmers started planting winter wheat, though dry conditions slowed progress.
The sugarbeet crop remains in excellent condition as the early campaign harvest continues. Michigan’s potato harvest is well underway, with reports of good yields and high quality, pleasing both growers and buyers. Growers are planning to begin storing potatoes in the coming weeks.
Ideal conditions also supported the harvesting of corn silage, while limited precipitation reduced hay regrowth. Additional farm activities included scouting for pests, planting cover crops, baling straw, chopping alfalfa for silage, seeding alfalfa, and tending to livestock.
In Michigan’s fruit sector, cooler evening temperatures have been beneficial for apple color development, with apple varieties ripening ahead of schedule across the state. In the Northwest, early varieties like Honeycrisp, Gala, and McIntosh were being harvested.
In the West Central region, the Gala and Fuji harvests are underway, and the Honeycrisp crop is maturing well with greatly improved color. Jonagold and Empire harvests are expected to begin soon.
Michigan’s vegetable growers continued late-season plantings and harvests. Steady quantities of yellow squash and zucchini were harvested, while cucumber supplies to the market remained light.
Harvesting of tomatoes, eggplant, okra, and peppers is progressing, though aphid infestations were reported in several greenhouses and high tunnels. Meanwhile, pumpkins are ripening in fields, and autumn plantings of kale, salad mixes, and collard greens continue across the state.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-zbynek-pospisil
Categories: Michigan, Harvesting