Persistent wet conditions continued to prevent fieldwork across most of the State, according to Marlo D. Johnson, director of the Great Lakes Regional Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service. There were 0.5 days suitable for fieldwork in Michigan during the week ending Sunday.
Winter wheat condition declined slightly as precipitation continued to cause accumulation of standing water.
Maple syrup producers were pulling taps and preparing for their last boil of the season.
Less than 1 percent of the state is experiencing moderate drought conditions with the driest areas being the southern counties of the Upper Peninsula and Isle Royale in Lake Superior.
Other activities included paperwork, tending to livestock, and preparation for planting.
Despite cold conditions last week, early fruit development continued.
Peach fruit buds were swelling in the South. Growers were actively applying early season sprays to prevent peach leaf curl.
Tart cherry fruit buds in the South were swelling and growers applied sprays to prevent bacterial canker.
Early apple varieties like Zestar, McIntosh, and Jonathan were showing green tissue in the South. Scab sprays were necessary as fungal ascospores were being released in the cold rains last week. On the Ridge, early varieties like Idared and Ginger Gold were in silver tip. In the West Central and North, most apple varieties remained dormant.
Blueberry flower buds were swollen with some separation in early varieties in the South.
This report is the second Crop Weather report for the 2022 growing season. These reports will cover planting and harvesting activities, crop development, weather data, and timely crop management information provided by farmers, USDA, and Michigan State University experts.
Categories: Michigan, Crops, Wheat, Weather