By Andi Anderson
The latest Michigan Crop Weather report provides insights into the current conditions and challenges facing farmers in the state. Here's a summary:
Field Crops:
- Fieldwork has been slow to commence due to cold temperatures and recent rain.
- Only 1.4 days were suitable for fieldwork in Michigan during the week ending March 31, 2024.
- Producers are waiting for warmer soil temperatures to begin planting.
- Winter wheat is starting to green up, and activities such as manure and fertilizer applications, as well as tilling, were undertaken.
Fruit:
- The previous winter was the warmest on record for much of Michigan, with very few days below 15 degrees Fahrenheit and little sustained snow cover.
- However, there were cold snaps in mid-January and March, with temperatures dropping significantly.
- The March cold snap, in particular, has damaged fruit crop potential, especially stone fruit and grapes in Southwest Michigan.
- Some producers anticipate no peach crop due to the damage, and apples may also see reduced yields, with growers expecting a reduced king bloom.
- Last week, sweet cherries were at green tip, tart cherries were at side green to early green tip, and copper applications were applied to reduce bacterial canker.
- Apples ranged from ¼ inch green to tight cluster, and blueberries were at bud swell in the Southwest.
The report indicates the significant impact of temperature fluctuations on fruit crops and the cautious approach of producers in starting fieldwork due to cold conditions. It also highlights the damage caused by recent cold snaps to various fruit crops in the region. This report serves as the first of the 2024 growing season.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-eugenesergeev
Categories: Michigan, Crops, Weather