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Wet soils making disease outbreaks difficult to manage

Wet conditions have created significant disease issues for some Michigan farmers.

Adam Bauer tells Brownfield downy mildew is rapidly spreading on his pickling cucumbers and regular rains have made it difficult to treat.

“We have already had to spray some by hiring an airplane to get some done to try to stay on our schedule, but it has been a challenge,” he shares.  “We have had several areas that have drowned out.”

He says harvest is usually finished by now but up to a third of the crop is still in the field.

“With the lower temperatures and all the rain, we’re going to be probably back two weeks later than normal,” he says.

Bauer says white mold pressure has also been severe this season in some of his dry bean and soybean crops.

Bauer operates Laracha Farms in Reese with his family.

Photo courtesy of Laracha Farms.