Field Crops
Widespread and persistent rain showers slowed harvest progress throughout most of the State, according to Marlo D. Johnson, Director of the Great Lakes Regional Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service. There were 2.5 days suitable for fieldwork in Michigan during the week ending October 10, 2021.
Corn harvest continued ahead of schedule despite wet conditions. Reported grain moisture was 22 percent, down two points from the previous week. Soybean harvest slowed in the face of rains, but was still ahead of the five-year average. Reported soybean moisture was 16 percent, up by two points from the previous week. Concerns over crop quality are at the forefront on most farms as high humidity and foggy conditions increased disease pressure in most areas.
Dry bean harvest progressed on pace to finish ahead of the five-year average. Sugarbeet harvest remained ahead of schedule although it was slowed due to the weather. Third cuttings of hay concluded as fourth cuttings carried on in areas that were not consistently wet. Other activities included hauling manure, scouting crops, and catching up on paperwork.
Corn
Mature: 89%
Harvested for grain: 24%
Harvested for silage: 96%
68% G/E
Soybeans
Dropping leaves: 96%
Harvested: 36%
69% G/E
Wheat
Planted: 44%
Emerged: 24%
Dry Beans
Harvested: 91%
Sugarbeets
Harvested: 42%
77% G/E
Range and pasture
52% G/E
Fruit
Apple harvest moved along very quickly. Most growers anticipated completing harvest earlier than normal due to a lighter crop and earlier maturity this season. Conditions continued to be warmer than normal which was less than ideal for color development. Fruit size has been very good. There was considerable variability in maturity and quality for many reasons; extended bloom, warm season and ample rainfall. Fruit was softer and more mature going into storage and growers worked hard to ensure fruit stored was done so successfully.
Harvest labor has generally been adequate. In the Grand Rapids area, growers harvested Golden Delicious, Mutsu, Idared, Red Delicious and Ambrosia. Fuji harvest was anticipated to begin soon. In the East, Golden and Red Delicious harvest moved rapidly. Idared harvest began. In the Southwest, apple harvest began to wind down. Approximately 90% of Golden Delicious and almost all Idared were harvested there. Red Delicious harvest was more than half completed. Fuji was harvested heavily and Braeburn harvest began.
