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Now is the time for rain

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Continued hot and dry weather is starting to stress some Michigan crops. Farmers again had almost a full week suitable for field work according to USDA NASS. While the weather was good for making hay and overall crop development, leaf rolling in corn and soybeans having difficulty setting pods was reported. It’s still too early to tell how much damage was caused to crops after Sunday’s severe storms in northern, central and eastern Michigan.

The corn crop is now 88 percent silking, ahead of last year and the five year average. Condition is 68 percent good to excellent, up slightly from last week. Soybeans in bloom are also ahead of last year and the five year average, now at 91 percent. Condition dipped 3 percent from last week, now 65 percent good to excellent. Winter wheat harvest is catching up with average. As of last week, 89 percent of the crop was harvested, behind average by only 4 percent. Dry beans are 73 percent blooming and 17 percent setting pods, both behind average.

Chipping potato harvest is expected to start this week, table stock potato harvest continues. Disease pressures continue to be an issue. Sweet corn, tomato, pickling cucumbers, onions, zucchini and summer squash harvest is underway. Cantaloupe and eggplant harvest began.

In the southwest, machine harvest of blueberries continues. Raspberry harvest is nearing completion. Sweet cherry harvest is almost wrapped up. Tart cherry harvest is winding down. Summer apple harvest has started for some growers. Early season peach and Japanese plum harvest continues.

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