Field Crops
Rain showers slowed harvest progress throughout most of the state for the second straight week, according to Marlo D. Johnson, Director of the Great Lakes Regional Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service.
There were 2.9 days suitable for fieldwork in Michigan during the week ending October 17, 2021. Corn harvest remained ahead of schedule although wet conditions did slow progress.
Reported grain moisture was 21 percent, down one point from the previous week. Soybean harvest fell behind the five-year average due to the challenging fieldwork conditions. Reported soybean moisture was 16 percent, unchanged from the previous week. Continued high moisture and above average temperatures increased disease pressure in corn and soybeans across the State. Concerns over crop quality are at the forefront as harvest moves forward.
Sugarbeet harvest continued ahead of the five-year average although growers struggled to get into fields due to high soil moisture. Fourth cuttings of hay continued as weather allowed. Other activities included hauling manure, scouting crops, and catching up on paperwork.
Corn
Mature: 93%
Harvested for grain: 32%
70% G/E
Soybeans
Harvested: 39%
73% G/E
Wheat
Planted: 53%
Emerged: 41%
Dry Beans
Harvested: 94%
Sugarbeets
Harvested: 44%
73% G/E
Range and pasture
58% 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.
