USDA released their weekly Crop Progress Report Monday, showing that sugarbeet planting is well-above the five-year average.
For the week ending April 26, 62 percent of the crop was planted, an increase of 21 percent from the week prior, and 41 points ahead of last year’s pace. The five-year average is 27 percent complete. Of the acres planted, 16 percent of beets have emerged, up 11 percent from last week.
Some growers are reporting they had to replant some of the crop because of freeze events.
Corn and soybean plantings have also started in the state. 3 percent of Michigan’s corn acres have been planted, right on pace with the five-year average. Compared to the five-year average of no soybeans planted, 4 percent of Michigan’s soybean acres are in the ground.
Winter wheat progress held steady. 22 percent of the state’s winter wheat crop is jointing, a 9-point increase from this time last week, last year, and the five-year average. 87 percent of the winter wheat crop is rated in fair to excellent condition.
Freezing temperatures caused damage to fruit that was beginning to bloom—such as apricots and plums. The fruit that hasn’t begun to bloom doesn’t appear to be damaged, but that won’t be known for a few weeks. Tart cherries, apples, and blueberries in Southwestern Michigan also experienced freeze damage.
