News

Weather and pests impact Michigan crops

Michigan farmers had a mixture of good weather and severe storms impacting crops last week.

USDA reporters say widespread storms with high winds and heavy rain hit the state, but there were still five and a half days suitable for fieldwork.

Many Michigan producers applied fertilizer, and planting is nearly finished for corn and soybeans with much of the crop already emerging.

Although none of the lower peninsula is abnormally dry, many fruit growers were irrigating last week.  The apple crop on the Ridge is reported as very promising and peaches in the southwest are good with pit hardening expected in a week or two.  Tart cherries are also doing well.

USDA reporters say there are pest and weather strains on vegetables including onions, carrots, and cucurbits.  The Asparagus harvest is about finished.