News

Michigan drier, but concerns persist

A mostly dry month in Michigan helped soil moisture levels stabilize but wet conditions could still be an issue this spring.

The USDA says precipitation was a little bit below normal during February and while surplus soil moisture levels declined, about half of the state remains too wet, which could delay planting.

The Upper Peninsula and the northern half of the Lower Peninsula are still frozen with snow cover, but fields in the southern half of the Lower Peninsula are muddy and winter wheat conditions vary widely.

38% of Michigan’s winter wheat crop is rated good to excellent, up 1%, but 22% is called poor to very poor, an increase of 4% on the month.

Livestock is reportedly doing well, maple trees have been tapped, and while cold temperatures have limited fruit tree growth, temperatures haven’t been cold enough to cause injury.

The USDA’s weekly crop progress and condition reports resume in April.