By Andi Anderson
Michigan farmers made substantial harvest progress last week thanks to ideal fieldwork conditions, as reported by USDA’s Great Lakes Regional Office.
The state saw 6.3 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending October 27, 2024, allowing producers to advance harvest activities at a rapid pace. Corn for grain reached 62 percent completion, marking a 17-point increase from the previous week, while soybean harvest progressed to 91 percent, up by 11 points.
The ongoing dry conditions have led to lower moisture levels in harvested crops. Corn for grain had a moisture content of 17 percent, 6 points below the five-year average, while soybean moisture content was 11 percent, 4 points below average.
These lower moisture levels simplify drying requirements, enabling farmers to store their harvest efficiently.
In addition to row crop harvesting, winter wheat planting reached 89 percent completion, and sugarbeet harvesting progressed to 38 percent. Hay harvesting is also winding down for the season, though some producers in South Central Michigan reported a fifth cutting of alfalfa, highlighting the extended fieldwork period.
Aside from harvesting, Michigan farmers engaged in a variety of activities to prepare for the upcoming planting season.
These included soil testing, fall tillage, spreading manure and fertilizer, planting cover crops, and farm planning for next year. Livestock care, hay hauling, and alfalfa chopping for haylage were also key tasks for many farms.
On the fruit side, this marks the end of the season’s apple harvest. Farmers are now focusing on fall weed management in orchards to control woody perennials, preparing the fields for the following year.
With the harvest season nearing its end, Michigan farmers have managed to maximize their output thanks to favourable weather conditions, efficient crop management, and fieldwork that prepares the ground for a successful next season.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-sasiistock
Categories: Michigan, Harvesting, Weather