News

Rain supports crop development

Corn and soybean conditions improved last week in Michigan with crops maturing behind last year and the five-year average.

As of last Sunday, the USDA says 66 percent of soybeans are blooming and 34 percent are setting pods with 43 percent of the crop in good to excellent condition.  Corn is rated at 44 percent good to excellent with 55 percent of the crop silking and 12 percent in the dough stage. Dry beans are 30 percent blooming with the crop rated 22 percent good.

Winter wheat is now 82 percent mature and 62 percent harvested.  Sugarbeets are rated 37 percent good to excellent. 

Recent rain and heat have increased disease pressures for fruit and vegetable growers.  Tart cherry harvest has finished, and peach harvest is starting in the southwest.