Persistent wet and cold conditions continued to delay the start of planting across most of Michigan, according to Marlo D. Johnson, director of the Great Lakes Regional Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service. There were 0.9 days suitable for fieldwork in Michigan during the week ending Sunday.
Less than 1 percent of the state was experiencing moderate drought conditions with the driest areas being the southeastern counties of the Upper Peninsula, Ontonagon County and Isle Royale in Lake Superior.
Winter wheat conditions improved slightly despite the cold weather and accumulation of standing water.
Other activities included nitrogen applications and light tillage where conditions allowed, tending to livestock, and preparing equipment for planting.
Temperatures last week warmed which aided fruit tree development. The season was off to a slow start with dormancy in the southern reaches of the state broken while the northern areas of the state remained dormant.
Peach fruit buds in the South were swelling.
Tart cherries were at side green in the Southwest.
Apples ranged from ¼ inch green to early tight cluster in the Southwest. On the Ridge, most apples were at early silver tip with the earliest varieties at first green.
Blueberry flower buds were swollen with some separation in early varieties in the Southwest. In the West Central, most blueberries were still dormant. There didn't appear to be any winter damage to fruit buds, however the drought of the summer of 2021 caused damage in fields without supplemental iirrigation.
These reports 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