Portions of Michigan Remain Abnormally Dry

Several areas across the State received their first frost of the season last week, the cool weather had been beneficial for harvesting, according to Marlo D. Johnson, director of the Great Lakes Regional Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service. There were 6.2 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.

Corn for grain moisture content at harvest was reported as 22 percent and soybean moisture content of beans was reported as 14 percent. Corn for silage harvest progressed close to the average pace.

Soybean and dry bean harvests were the focus in the Northeastern region of the Lower Peninsula, while harvest wrapped up for soybeans in Western Michigan.

Winter wheat planting continued ahead of the 5-year average.

Sugarbeet harvest progressed only slightly behind average by week's end.

Alfalfa and other hay cuttings continued due to the dry weather throughout the week.

Other activities during the week included, preparing harvest machinery, prepping for winter, and hauling manure.

Apple harvest continued with the predicted large fruit size and exceptional crop load being manifest. Sugar content on some varieties was a bit lower than normal due to rainfall immediately prior to harvest. The cooler evenings of the later part of last week aided in color development. With the cold temperatures over the weekend, growers were cautioned against harvesting frozen and wet fruit as this fruit will bruise more easily. On the Ridge, Red Delicious harvest began. Golden Delicious harvest continued with the fruit appearing much more yellow this past week. In the Southwest, growers harvested Red and Golden Delicious, Fuji and IdaRed. Rome harvest began towards the end of the week. In the West Central, growers harvested Empire, Jonagold, Golden Delicious and Mutsu and will begin Red Delicious and IdaRed harvest soon.