As the weather begins to warm up in May, farmers in West Michigan are preparing to start planting their crops for the spring. However, with the latest snowfall on Monday and last week's Freeze Warning, planting has been delayed. According to Meteorologist Jeff Porter, the last time it snowed in May was in 1994, and farmers are waiting for the weather to improve before starting to plant.
Primary field crops planted in the spring in West Michigan typically cover soybeans, corn, and small amounts of spring cereal grains, including oats, barley, and rye. However, due to the colder soil temperatures, most crops have not been planted yet this year. The USDA's weekly Crop report issued on April 24 stated that only 1% of corn and 2% of soybeans have been planted in the state of Michigan.
Field Crops Educator of Michigan State University, Eric Anderson, advises farmers to wait until the soil temperature rises above 50 degrees Fahrenheit before planting. With warmer weather predicted for the coming week, farmers are preparing to start planting their crops, hoping to catch up after the delayed start.
Photo Credit: istock-chas53
Categories: Michigan, Crops, Weather