Harvest Progress Slow After Continued Rain Showers

Field Crops

Many areas experienced the first frost event of the season accompanied by continued rain showers, according to Marlo D. Johnson, Director of the Great Lakes Regional Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service. There were 3.6 days suitable for fieldwork in Michigan during the week ending October 24, 2021.

Corn harvest made significant progress as growers took full advantage of dry spells between rain. Reported grain moisture was 21 percent, unchanged from the previous week.

Soybean harvest continued as progress remained behind the five-year average. Reported soybean moisture was 16 percent, unchanged from the previous week.

Continued precipitation remained a concern to corn and soybean growers across the State. Surplus moisture challenged harvest operations as crop quality continued to be a closely monitored.

Sugarbeet harvest was slowed due to the unfavorable weather. Although progress continued slightly ahead of the five-year average very little digging was accomplished.

Wheat planting was limited due to wet fields. Pastures responded well to the high moisture and fairly warm day-time temperatures.

Fourth cuttings of hay continued as weather allowed. Other activities included hauling manure, scouting crops, and catching up on paperwork.

National Crop Progress

Corn
Mature: 95%
Harvested for grain: 47%
66% G/E

Soybeans
Harvested: 49%
71% G/E

Wheat
Planted: 68%
Emerged: 55%

Dry Beans
Harvested: 97%

Sugarbeets
Harvested: 46%
78% G/E

Range and pasture
56% G/E

Fruit

Apple harvest continued to move along very quickly, aided by very warm weather. Brown marmorated stink bug populations remained very high. Nearly all Golden Delicious and approximately 80 percent of Fuji were harvested in the Southwest. Rome and Braeburn were more than 50 percent harvested there. In the East, all apples for the fresh market were anticipated to be harvested by the end of next week. U-pick orchards in the East were anticipating completing harvest over the next 2 weekends. In the Grand Rapids area, apple harvest neared completion. Red Delicious, Fuji, Rome and Braeburn were harvested most heavily. Evercrisp harvest was anticipated to begin soon.

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