Before rain fell later in the week, there was substantial planting progress made in Michigan, according to USDA’s Crop Progress Report. There were 4.3 days suitable for fieldwork, and temperatures were cooler.
59 percent of Michigan’s corn has been planted, an increase of 22 points from the previous week. The five-year average is 44 percent complete. 11 percent of the crop is emerged, up 8 points from last week and 4 points behind the five-year average. Nationally, 71 percent is complete, and 40 percent is emerged.
Soybean planting is well-ahead of the five-year average of 25 percent complete. 56 percent of the crop is planted, 31 points ahead of the five-year average and 21 points ahead of last week. 11 percent of the crop is emerged, 9 points ahead of last week and 6 points ahead of the five-year average. Nationally, 38 percent of soybean planting is complete and 12 percent is emerged.
61 percent of winter wheat is rated in good to excellent condition, and 27 percent is rated in fair condition.
Sugarbeet planting is nearing completion. 94 percent of Michigan’s sugarbeets have been planted, four points ahead of the five-year average of 90 percent complete. Nationally, 93 percent is complete. 45 percent of Michigan’s beets are rated in good to excellent condition, and 41 percent is rated in fair condition.
According to USDA, freezes from the previous week caused significant damage to blossoming fruit in Michigan. The apple crop in the eastern part of the state was in full pink when the cold temperatures settled in, which will reduce the crop this fall. On the Ridge, freeze damage is still unknown but more will be known when the crop starts to flower.
Peaches also experienced damage, but the extent is also unknown.
In the Southwest, tart cherries were in bloom when the freeze hit—causing widespread damages. Some areas lost the entire crop while others will see a partial loss.
Asparagus growers saw a minor delay in harvest with the cold temperatures damaging spears, but harvest continued by the end of the week. Potato planting in the Southwest is complete, but none of the crop has emerged.
