Field Crops
Much of the state experienced rainfall accompanied by warmer temperatures, according to Marlo D. Johnson, Director of the Great Lakes Regional Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service. There were 5.7 days suitable for fieldwork in Michigan during the week ending September 19, 2021.
Corn harvest started to pick up steam slightly ahead of the five-year average. Silage corn harvest progressed at a rapid pace finishing the week significantly ahead of schedule.
Dry bean harvest also advanced swiftly with nearly half of the crop being threshed by weeks end.
Wheat planting continued to proceed slightly ahead of schedule as oat and barley harvests reached their conclusion.
Forage producers continued to harvest hay as weather allowed. Soybean progress remained significantly ahead of the five-year average with 5 percent of the crop harvested to date.
Other activities included tillage, pre-harvest scouting, and yield sampling.
Corn
Dented: 80%
Mature: 44%
Harvested for grain: 2%
Harvested for silage: 71%
73% G/E
Soybeans
Dropping leaves: 76%
Harvested: 5%
68% G/E
Wheat
Planted: 10%
Barley
Harvested: 95%
Dry Beans
Dropping leaves: 96%
Harvested: 49%
69% G/E
Sugarbeets
Harvested: 20%
77% G/E
Range and pasture
42% G/E
Fruit
Apple harvest was in full swing across the State. In the Northwest, Gala was harvested. Honeycrisp harvest was expected to begin in a few weeks. Predicted cooler nights were expected to aid in coloring. In the Grand Rapids area, Gala harvest was in full swing and Honeycrisp was spot picked. McIntosh harvest was complete for those blocks not treated with plant growth regulators and was on-going in those blocks that had been treated. Jonagold, Jonathan, Golden and Red Delicious harvest windows fast approached. In the Southwest, Honeycrisp was harvested heavily. Bitter rot was problematic in some blocks. A few Jonagold were harvested for processing. Some Jonathan have been harvested for taffy apples.
Vegetables
With the vegetable season drawing to a close, producers throughout the State were cleaning up their fields, planting fall cover crops, and working on other post-season activities. Harvest of carrots and potatoes was ongoing throughout much of the State while pumpkins and gourds were being sold in local markets. Supply of zucchini and squash remained at moderate levels. Weather-based forecast for late blight was set at low to medium risk for most of the State, and no late blight had been reported for either potatoes or tomatoes in Michigan to date. This will be the last vegetable report for the 2021 growing season.
