Scattered precipitation across much of the State last week provided much need moisture to the Lower Peninsula and the Upper Peninsula saw its first snow flurry, according to Marlo D. Johnson, director of the Great Lakes Regional Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service. There were 4.3 days suitable for fieldwork in Michigan during the week ending Sunday.
According to the latest U.S. Drought Monitor, counties in the Northern, Eastern, and Southern Lower Peninsula and the Southwestern Upper Peninsula were reported as abnormally dry. The Thumb Region and a few counties in Southeastern Michigan continued to experience moderate drought despite the rain events.
Corn for grain moisture content at harvest was reported as 23 percent and soybean moisture content of beans was reported as 13 percent. Corn for silage harvest neared completion. Soybean and dry bean harvests made excellent progress in the Northeastern region of the Lower Peninsula.
Winter wheat planting continued ahead of normal, with many areas in the Southeast reported as complete.
Sugarbeet harvest progressed through light rain events in the Thumb Region.
Alfalfa and other hay cuttings continued trending ahead of last year.
Other activities during the week included, fall tillage, prepping for winter, and hauling manure.
Apple harvest sped along and was only hampered by labor and bin shortages. Crop and fruit size were exceptional. Color was also very good. Red Delicious and Golden Delicious harvests were finishing up in the Southwest. IdaRed and Rome harvests continued there. On the Ridge, growers were finishing up Red Delicious and Golden Delicious and moving on to begin harvest of later season varieties. In the West Central, growers continued to harvest Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Northern Spy and Mutsu. IdaRed harvest would begin soon there. Evercrisp and Pink Lady were still immature.
Categories: Michigan, Crops, Corn, Soybeans, Wheat, Harvesting