News

Crop progress lags average

Wheat harvest in Michigan is almost halfway complete as many crops are maturing slower than last year and the five-year average.

As of last Sunday, the USDA says 49 percent of soybeans are blooming and 13 percent are setting pods with 33 percent of the crop in good to excellent condition.  Corn is rated at 39 percent good to excellent with 28 percent of the crop silking.  Dry beans are 14 percent blooming with the crop rated 44 percent good to excellent.

Winter wheat condition is now 42 percent good to excellent and 47 percent harvested.  Sugarbeets are rated 46 percent good to excellent. 

Fruit growers say recent rains have helped with crop development.  Peach harvest is starting for some early varieties.   Vegetable growers are harvesting many summer crops and some disease pressure has increased because of recent rains.