By Andi Anderson
Rainfall hindered fieldwork throughout Michigan this past week, as reported by Marlo D. Johnson, Director of the USDA NASS Great Lakes Regional Office. Only 3.9 days were deemed suitable for fieldwork during the week ending on May 5, 2024. Despite this, the progress of sugarbeet and oat planting exceeded the five-year average. Corn planting was also ahead of the five-year average, while soybean planting lagged slightly behind.
Producers of winter wheat remained vigilant, closely monitoring fields for potential disease outbreaks. On the whole, pastures and forage crops were faring well. Other agricultural activities such as scouting, tillage, fertilizing, and herbicide applications continued as planned.
In terms of fruit crops, despite initial cold weather, development remained ahead of schedule by one to two weeks. However, a significant frost in Southwest Michigan caused damage, prompting growers to assess the extent of the harm incurred. Fortunately, warmer weather towards the end of the week facilitated increased pollinator activity. Over the coming weeks, commercial honeybee and bumble hives are expected to arrive to aid in pollination efforts for apples and cherries.
Throughout the state, apple development varied, with some regions seeing apples in full bloom while others were still in tight cluster stages. Tart cherries in the Southwest were mostly in the shuck stage, while in the Northwest, they were in bud burst. In the Southeast, cherries were in the first white stage. Similarly, peaches in the Southwest were progressing, with some in the shuck stage and others at petal fall. In the Southeast, peaches ranged from first to full bloom, indicating varying stages of development. Blueberries in the Southeast were noted to be at the early pink stage.
As for vegetables, favorable weather conditions allowed for continued progress in fieldwork and plantings. Asparagus harvest commenced in the Southwest and was expected to follow suit soon in the West Central region. Transplanting activities for cabbage and celery persisted, with reports of cabbage maggot flies observed on volunteer turnips and transplanted cauliflower. Processing carrots on the west side of the state were germinating and expected to emerge imminently, while planting had begun in the East. Potatoes were emerging and beginning to grow, while onion transplanting neared completion, with previously transplanted onions exhibiting signs of leaf growth.
Week Ending May 5, 2024: Since April 1
Temperature
- High: 53°F to 82°F
- Low: 31°F to 62°F
- Average: 41°F to 68°F
Precipitation
- Total Days with Precipitation: 1 to 6 days
- Total Precipitation: 0.09 inches to 2.84 inches
Growing Degree Days (GDD) Base 50°F
Accumulated GDD: -54 to 103
Departure from Normal (DFN): -35 to 103
Photo Credit: gettyimages-brian-brown
Categories: Michigan, Crops, Weather