A very hot week culminated in passing rain showers over the weekend which provided temporary relief to very dry soil conditions, according to Marlo D. Johnson, director of the Great Lakes Regional Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service. There were 5.6 days suitable for fieldwork in Michigan during the week ending Sunday.
Rain events varied throughout the State. but abnormally dry weather continued across the Northwest and Central Lower Peninsula. Parts of Central Michigan and the Thumb Region were reported as in moderate drought from the US Drought Monitor.
Winter wheat harvest made good progress. Oat conditions were reported as mostly fair to good after dry weather resumed in the Southeast. Corn began to tassel. Soybean condition remained fair to good after needed rain events.
Alfalfa and other hay second cutting progressed and was reported as short in several dry areas. Some farmers are feeding livestock supplemental hay due to some pastures beginning to go dormant. Disease and pest activity have been reported as low.
Other activities during the week included combining wheat, harvesting hay, baling straw, side dressing fertilizer, and spraying pesticides.
A very warm week with only passing showers stressed young orchards. The limited rainfall was not enough to keep up with evapotranspiration demand. Irrigation equipment ran extensively. Despite the dry weather, apples continued to size. Growers were hand thinning and pruning across the State. The crop potential was very good to excellent in most areas. Growers were protecting against fungal diseases like sooty blotch. Apple maggots and woolly apple aphids began to show up in the Southwest.
Peach harvest began on the Ridge and continued in the Southwest. Earlystar were harvested in the Southwest. Midseason variety harvest will begin soon there. Tart cherry harvest was winding down in the Southwest.
Blueberry harvest was in full swing with fruit set being very good in most areas.
Vegetable producers throughout the State continued to rely heavily on irrigation as a result of prolonged hot and dry weather conditions. Moderate pest presence was detected on onions and zucchini, with producers applying pesticides where needed.
Early planted pumpkins were flowering and setting fruit, and some producers were putting in a final set.
Fruit was ripening on field tomatoes and peppers, with some light harvest of small fruit beginning.
Harvest of eggplants and sweet corn was also beginning in some areas.
Meanwhile, melon harvest was ramping up, and cucumber and summer squash harvest was strong.
Categories: Michigan, Crops, Corn, Soybeans, Wheat, Harvesting, Weather