News

Planting still behind in Michigan

Mostly warm and dry weather allowed Michigan farmers to start making progress on planting last week. The USDA says planting progress remains behind last year and the five year average for corn, soybeans, oats and sugarbeets.

The winter wheat condition dropped a point to 64 percent good to excellent, 23 percent of the crop is jointed, 10 percent behind last year.

Farmers planted five percent of corn last week, 32 percent of sugarbeets and 24 percent of the oat crop.

Top soil moisture is 100 percent adequate to surplus, sub soil moisture is at 99 percent.

Fruit development is ahead of average in most southern counties of the state. Asparagus emerged in the west central region.  Early planting of processing carrots, onion, potatoes, sweet corn, summer squash and zucchini has started.  Growers are also transplanting lettuce, broccoli, cabbage, peppers and tomatoes.