Field Crops
The State experienced hot and humid weather accompanied by very little rain, according to Marlo D. Johnson, Director of the Great Lakes Regional Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service. There were 6.4 days suitable for fieldwork in Michigan during the week ending August 22, 2021.
Despite lack of precipitation only 2 percent of the state was reportedly experiencing moderate to severe drought conditions. The driest areas included the northern half of the Upper Peninsula accompanied by Huron, Sanilac, and Tuscola Counties in the eastern central Lower Peninsula.
Corn condition improved with 77 percent of the crop currently rated in good to excellent condition. Nearly 80 percent of the crop has reached the dough stage as grain fill continues to trend well ahead of average. Some growers have started chopping corn silage ahead of schedule as well.
Soybean condition remained stable with 72 percent of the crop now rated good to excellent. Dry bean condition improved slightly with 59 percent of the crop rated good to excellent.
Oat and barley harvest continued to make strong progress as favorable harvest weather was widespread. Hay producers focused on third cuttings across most of the State.
Conditions remained strong as most reports have indicated high quality forage. Other activities included crop scouting, hay hauling, and spreading manure.
Corn
Dough: 78%
Dented: 20%
77% G/E
Soybeans
Setting pods: 95%
72% G/E
Barley
Mature: 89%
Harvested: 36%
62% G/E
Dry Beans
Setting pods: 96%
Dropping leaves: 8%
59% G/E
Oats
Mature: 100%
Harvested: 71%
Sugarbeets
72% G/E
Range and pasture
53% G/E
Fruits
Spotted wing Drosophila numbers increased again last week. Peach harvest moved quickly last week with later season varieties being harvested in the Southwest. Harvest of early season apple varieties like Ginger Gold and Zestar began in the Southwest and in the Grand Rapids area. Paula Red harvest was anticipated to begin soon as were early strains of Gala and Honeycrisp. Blueberry harvest moved quickly with Elliott and other end of season varieties harvested.
Vegetables
After a brief respite, producers throughout the State were faced with high humidity and rising dewpoints. This weather was conducive for foliar disease development in certain vegetable crops, such as carrots. Disease pressure remained at a modest level for asparagus and tomatoes. Moderate insect presence continued in sweet corn fields, particularly in the West Central region. Some farms reported significant damage to their broccoli crop due to swede midge activity. Producers were applying fungicides and insecticides where necessary to mitigate their losses. A large number of ripe pumpkins were reported throughout the State, while supply was at moderate levels for squash and zucchini. To date, no late blight had been reported in Michigan for either potatoes or tomatoes.
