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Cooler weather breathes life into Michigan crops

Scattered rains across Michigan were a welcome relief for crops last week as conditions improve.

The USDA says 95 percent of corn is silking, 38 percent is in the dough stage and condition improved one point to 61 percent good to excellent.  Soybeans are 95 percent blooming, 80 percent setting pods, and condition improved four points to 73 percent good to excellent.

MSU Extension educator Dennis Pennington tells Brownfield weeks of hot weather and timely rains have benefited most crops across the state. “I think we have some significantly high yield potential right now in much of the corn crop across the state, soybeans seem to be doing quite well right now.”

As of Sunday, 64 percent of oats, 46 percent of dry beans, and 57 percent of sugarbeets were in good to excellent condition. Wheat harvest was 98 percent complete.

Cooler weather aided fruit development with excellent quality reported for blueberries and peaches being harvested.  Pest and disease reports are high from vegetable growers and sweet corn harvest continues.