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Michigan farmer finally plants last field

A Mid-Michigan no-till farmer says cool, wet conditions delayed planting by about three weeks.

Fifth-generation farmer Dave Williams grows soybeans, corn and wheat in Elsie. He tells Brownfield he ideally likes to start planting the last week in April but wet, colder soils kept him out of the field till mid-May.  “We finished the corn last Saturday and we actually finished the soybeans last night.”

Williams says weed pressure in no-till fields so far is very minimal after fall applications but it’s something he’s watching closely.  “Because of the late start I’ve noticed, particularly in the corn, the weeds are coming on more than I’d like.  I’ve got to put some fungicide on the wheat but as soon as we’re done with that we’ll start spraying corn.”

He says early emergence looks good at this point and if favorable conditions persist, it should be a pretty decent crop overall.

AUDIO: Interview with Dave Williams