Field Crops
Michigan continued to experience exceptionally dry conditions, according to Marlo Johnson, Director of the Great Lakes Regional Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service. In Michigan’s weekly Crop Progress Report, the majority of the Lower Peninsula was in a moderate drought. There were 6.1 days suitable for fieldwork in Michigan during the week ending May 23, 2021.
Winter wheat condition held steady with a reported 68 percent of the crop rated in good to excellent condition. Despite the dry conditions, the winter wheat crop has shown resiliency and continued progress.
Oat and barley seeding approached completion as both crops were showing strong emergence.
Corn and soybean planting continued at a rapid pace with both crops significantly ahead of schedule.
Widespread lack of moisture continues to remain the largest concern amongst producers. Pasture and range condition was starting to deteriorate as limited moisture has slowed growth.
Other activities included fertilizer application, spring tillage, and crop scouting.
Corn
Planted: 88%
Emerged: 53%
Soybeans
Planted: 82%
Emerged: 41%
Wheat
Jointing: 95%
Headed: 14%
68% G/E
Barley
Planted: 88%
Emerged: 38%
Oats
Planted: 93%
Emerged: 80%
76% G/E
Sugarbeets
Emerged: 95%
58% G/E
Range and pasture
41% G/E
Fruit
Dry weather remained last week. Growers were having to provide supplemental irrigation to avoid crop losses due to water stress during bloom. This was exacerbated by above average temperatures last week. With the warm weather, remaining bloom went quickly and insect activity increased.
Tart cherries in the Northwest were in petal fall. In the Southwest, fruit was 7 to 8 mm.
Apples in the Northwest were at 60% bloom. In the Grand Rapids area, most apples were in petal fall. The earliest varieties and most advanced blocks had fruitlets up to 8 mm in diameter. Growers had to make thinning decisions quickly as warm weather threatened to push fruit progress past ideal thinning conditions. Fruit set in the Grand Rapids area appeared to be very good despite the loss of king bloom. In the Southwest, apples ranged from 7 to 10 mm. Codling moths were caught.
Peaches in the Southwest have emerged from the shuck. Oriental fruit moth activity was high.
Blueberry bloom continued in the West Central and Southwest. Growers applied fungicides to prevent mummy berry infection and began to plan to prevent anticipated cherry fruit worm and cranberry fruit worm injury.
Vegetables
Above average temperatures and prolonged dry weather prompted some producers to begin irrigation this week to avoid moisture stress for their vegetable crops. Cool-season crops, like lettuce, and warm-season crops, such as squash, were in the ground throughout the State.
Asparagus was growing rapidly and producing good yields as a result of warmer weather. Some pest pressure was observed, and producers applied pesticides as needed.
Cutting and planting of potatoes continued, as did transplanting of tomatoes and melons. In the East, carrots and onions showed progress, and their nurse crops had been sprayed off.
