Harvesting slowed tremendously in the Upper Peninsula, while producers in the Lower Peninsula kept machinery running throughout the week, according to Marlo D. Johnson, director of the Great Lakes Regional Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service. There were 5.4 days suitable for fieldwork in Michigan during the week ending Sunday.
According to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor, counties in the Northeastern, Eastern and Southeastern Lower Peninsula and the Southwestern Upper Peninsula were reported as abnormally dry. Weather patterns varied from the East to West sides of the State. The Thumb Region and a few counties in the Southeast received minimal precipitation and continued to experience moderate drought. Counties along the Lake Michigan shoreline received several rain events which halted harvesting until fields dried out.
Corn for grain and soybean harvest continued as moisture content decreased. Corn for grain moisture content at harvest was reported as 21 percent while soybean moisture content of beans was reported as 13 percent.
Winter wheat planting neared completion; the Southeast Lower Peninsula reported lack of moisture in the area caused slow germination.
Sugarbeet harvest slowed due to the warmer weather and was expected to pick back up when temperatures drop.
Other activities during the week included fall tillage, prepping for winter, and hauling manure
Categories: Michigan, Weather