News

Planting zooming along in the Mitten state

Precipitation across Michigan last week helped boost moisture levels.  The U.S. Drought Monitor reports most of the state is abnormally dry with moderate drought spanning across southern regions.

In its weekly crop progress report, USDA says farmers have planted 26 precent oats, one percent of corn, and 46 percent of sugarbeets—all ahead of the five-year average.  Topsoil moisture is 86 percent adequate to surplus and subsoil moisture is at 83 percent.

Fruit development is running about two weeks ahead of normal with some fruit damage reported on April 2nd still being assessed.

Winter wheat condition improved three percent on the week to 72 percent good to excellent.