Weather and rain boost Michigan harvest

By Andi Anderson

Michigan farmers welcomed much-needed rain last week, which improved harvest conditions across the state, according to Marlo D. Johnson, Director of the USDA NASS Great Lakes Regional Office.

As of the week ending September 29, 2024, farmers enjoyed 4.9 days suitable for fieldwork, allowing them to make considerable progress in harvesting a range of crops.

Corn harvesting for grain reached 9 percent, with 65 percent of the crop rated in good to excellent condition. Drying conditions sped up the corn silage harvest, enabling farmers to cover more ground.

Soybean harvesting also advanced rapidly, with nearly one-quarter of the crop harvested, far ahead of the five-year average. Meanwhile, winter wheat planting continued at a brisk pace, outpacing last year and exceeding the five-year average.

Dry bean harvest neared completion in many areas, while 19 percent of the sugarbeet crop has already been harvested, with 50 percent of the crop rated in good to excellent condition.

Potato harvest slowed slightly due to above-average temperatures, but growers remained satisfied with the quality and yields, with one-third of the crop now in storage. The recent rain revitalized hay fields, allowing some producers to finish their final cuttings for the season.

Farmers also engaged in additional activities such as planting cover crops, hauling hay, chopping alfalfa for haylage, seeding alfalfa, fall tillage, and planning for the upcoming season.

On the fruit side, growers managed to work around the rain while harvesting late-season varieties. Golden Delicious and Red Delicious apples were actively harvested in the West Central region, while in the Southwest, growers focused on IdaRed, Romes, and Braeburn varieties.

In Grand Rapids, apples such as Ambrosia, Jonagold, and Evercrisp were reaching maturity. The rain was a welcome relief, helping to sustain the fruit harvest after a period of dry weather.

Overall, the combination of rain and warm temperatures provided a much-needed boost to Michigan’s agricultural season, helping farmers complete harvest tasks and maintain strong crop quality across the state.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-dszc