News

Potatoes now in harvest

Farmers in Michigan welcomed more seasonal weather last week, which for the first time in weeks had more than six days suitable for fieldwork. USDA NASS reports southern counties continued to dry out, however some central and northern counties are in need of rain.

As of Sunday, 63 percent of the corn crop is silking, almost on pace with the five year average. Condition is rated 68 percent good to excellent, up 3 percent from last week. Soybeans in bloom are 4 percent ahead of the five year average, now at 76 percent. A quarter of soybeans in the state are setting pods, condition is inching up, now at 60 percent good to excellent. Winter wheat maturity is on pace with last year, but harvest continues to lag. Only 49 percent of the crop is harvested as of last week, condition is 62 percent good to excellent. Dry edible beans are now 28 percent blooming, 27 percent behind average. Condition is 57 percent good to excellent.

Michigan’s table stock potatoes and chipping varieties are in harvest in the central region. Pickling cucumbers in the central region are also in harvest. Carrots and onions look good despite disease issues. In the southwest, sweet corn, pepper and eggplant harvest began. In the east, melons, zucchini and summer squash harvest continues. A downy mildew alert is in effect for Berrien County. Disease pressure for Michigan vegetable growers overall remains high.

Sweet and tart cherry harvest in the south is almost complete. In the Northwest, cherry harvest continues with fruit cracking, bird pecks and wind whip reported. Apricot harvest wrapped up. Blueberry and raspberry harvest continues.