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Michigan drought deepens

Crops continued to deteriorate last week as moderate drought spans two-thirds of Michigan.  Five counties in the west central region are in severe drought.

USDA says nearly all corn and soybeans are planted for the year along with 30 percent of dry beans, all ahead of average.

Winter wheat condition dropped 14 points to 54 percent good to excellent and 89 percent of the crop headed.  Sugarbeet condition dropped two points to 60 percent good to excellent.  Corn condition dropped seven points to 56 percent good to excellent, soybeans were a point better at 57 percent.  Alfalfa harvest is 53 percent complete.

Fruit growers are reporting irrigating the earliest in recent memory to curb dry conditions.  Hot, dry weather has increased pest activity in vegetables and the first findings of cucurbit downy mildew were made in the southwest with no outbreaks reported yet.

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