News

Widespread rain and relief in Michigan

Heavy rains in Michigan this past week ranged from welcomed, torrential, to somewhat violent in areas of the state with wheat the most likely negatively impacted crop.

Mid-Michigan dairy farmer Kris Wardin tells Brownfield there has been just enough moisture to encourage crops along in his region although it has been abnormally dry for most of the growing season.

“There’s not a whole lot to complain about, the crops look really good around here,” he says.

In the last week, Wardin says his Clinton County farm has accumulated about seven inches of rain and, while there is some localized flooding, he was spared Tornado touch downs and high winds reported in other nearby areas.

As of Sunday, the USDA says nearly all of planting is complete in Michigan with 10 percent of second-cutting alfalfa harvest underway.

Winter wheat condition declined four points to 59 percent good to excellent and 20 percent of the crop mature with some areas knocked down from heavy rain.  Corn condition improved to 65 percent good to excellent, soybeans were up to 59 percent.  Sugarbeet condition was at 70 percent good to excellent while dry beans were at 67 percent. 

Hail damage was reported earlier in the week in fruit crops in southern Michigan.  Prolonged rain caused some vegetable planting to be put on hold.