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Still early for planting in Michigan

A Michigan farmer says corn and soybean planting could be another two weeks away in the Thumb.

Kyle McCarty of Sanilac County tells Brownfield while weather is warming up, periodic rain showers are still keeping a majority of field activities at bay. He says it’s still early in the planting season and remains optimistic.  “We’ve got a brand new year ahead of us and new varieties, new chemistries out there as far as herbicides go, so the seeds not in the ground yet, we can still expect a super high yield.”

He says he expects management changes to occur on a field by field basis this year to help alleviate input costs.  “I think the amount of fertilizer that’s going out might be slightly less.  It’s field specific, we’re being very considerate of what that soil test actually tells us this year.”

McCarty, who grows corn, soybeans, wheat and hay, says sugarbeet farmers in the area are starting to make headway, but this week he will be focused on prepping equipment until soil temperatures are warmer and conditions are a bit drier.

AUDIO: Interview with Kyle McCarty