Field Crops
The week was dominated by hot and humid weather with intermittent showers and thunderstorm activity across much of the State, according to Marlo D. Johnson, Director of the Great Lakes Regional Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service. There were 5.3 days suitable for fieldwork in Michigan during the week ending August 29, 2021. Steady moisture throughout August has helped corn condition remain strong while the heat and humidity has kept corn maturity ahead of the five-year average. While recent rains have helped keep many soybean fields green, there were reports of drowned out fields in some parts of the State.
In the East Central region, sugarbeet harvest began in earnest while dry bean harvest was expected to begin in the next week with the arrival of drier air. Hay producers wrapped up second cuttings and progressed with third and fourth cuttings; wet fields and high humidity have made drying conditions difficult. Oat and barley harvests continued as conditions allowed. Other activities included hay hauling, scouting for pests, and preparing equipment for harvest.
Corn
Dough: 87%
Dented: 36%
Mature: 1%
73% G/E
Soybeans
Dropping leaves: 3%
72% G/E
Barley
Mature: 95%
Harvested: 59%
55% G/E
Dry Beans
Dropping leaves: 40%
55% G/E
Oats
Harvested: 81%
Sugarbeets
71% G/E
Range and pasture
44% G/E
Fruits
Spotted wing drosophila (SWD) numbers were high last week. Oriental fruit moth (OFM) catches began to increase last week in the Southwest which indicated that the third generation of OFM had arrived.
Late season peach varieties like Fantasia, Glowingstar, Gloria and PF24C were harvested in the Southwest.
Early season apple harvest in the Southwest continued. Pristine, Gingergold and Zestar were harvested there. Growers in the Grand Rapids area began harvesting Premier Honeycrisp and early strains of Gala.
Blueberry harvest was coming to an end in the Southwest. Late season varieties like Elliot and Aurora were harvested. Blueberry harvest continued in the West Central and growers anticipated continuing to harvest berries for the fresh market well into mid-September. Fruit quality of later season varieties was excellent. Growers were irrigating blueberries because soils were dry.
Vegetables
Throughout the State, producers faced hot and humid weather as the vegetable season began to wind down. There were some reported signs of storm, wind, and disease damage in various vegetable crops.
Downy mildew presence remained substantial in cucumbers, while insect activity persisted in sweet corn fields. Fungicides and insecticides were applied where necessary.
Harvest of certain vegetables, such as potatoes and peppers, was underway. Moderate levels of supply for squash and zucchini were reported.
While weather-based risk for late blight remained at high risk for some areas of the State, no late blight had been reported in Michigan for potatoes or tomatoes to date.
