mi-crop-weather State Michigan Crop Weather Released August 11, 2008 Week Ending Date August 10, 2008 Issue MI-CW3208 Agricultural Summary Scattered Rainfall Six days were suitable for fieldwork during the week ending August 10, according to the USDA, NASS, Michigan Field Office. Precipitation varied from 0.10 inches in the western Upper Peninsula to 1.15 inches in the east central Lower Peninsula. Average temperatures ranged from 1 degree below normal in the western Upper Peninsula and the west central, east central, south central and southeastern Lower Peninsula to 1 degree above normal in the eastern Upper Peninsula and the northwestern and southwestern Lower Peninsula. Temperatures this past week started off warm but became cool later in the week. Farmers in many areas were still hoping for significant rainfall as some crops were showing signs of stress. A farmer in the south central noted, "Because of lack of any measurable rainfall recently, some of our corn and soybeans are getting to the point where the heat is beginning to hurt yield potential." Rains were scattered and light but did fall in some areas of the State. "The light, brief rainfall this week bought some relief and along with cooler weather has helped the corn crop, but it still needs additional rain," a farmer in the west central reported. Field Crops Report Field Crops Soil moisture was becoming a concern for field crops. Corn condition was variable due to soil moisture levels. In some lighter soils, there was evidence of moisture stress. Soybeans were blooming and setting pods. Many fields were in need of a measurable rainfall. The crop may need monitoring for aphids. Winter wheat harvest was completed. Alfalfa harvest was progressing with farmers getting a second or third cut. Dry conditions in some areas have allowed for cutting but have slowed regrowth. Rains in other areas have slowed harvest. The condition of dry beans varied. In the central and west central, the crop is reported to be in need of rain. In the east central, dampness has caused yellowing in low areas, but other areas were progressing. Sugarbeets were looking very good. Cercospora leaf spot infestation remained very light. Oat harvest was in full swing. Barley was generally in fair to good condition. Fruit, Vegetable, and Specialty Crops Report Fruit Apples were 3 inches in the southwest; fire blight infections continued to spread. Summer pruning was underway in the Grand Rapids area and other areas of the southeast. Harvest of summer apple varieties continued across the State. Blueberry harvest was underway in the Grand Rapids area, where high yields and good quality were reported. In the southeast, blueberry harvest continued; bird feeding was a major issue for many growers. Peaches grew to 3 inches in diameter with a fair amount of split pits in some varieties; harvest continued across the State. Pears were 2.5 and 2 inches in the southwest and southeast, respectively. Plums neared harvest in the west central, where cherry leaf spot symptoms from June storms were visible; harvest of the Shiro variety began in the southeast. Strawberry regrowth was underway in the southwest. Sweet cherry harvest was completed in the northwest; quality was less than optimal. Tart cherry harvest wrapped up in the west central and continued in the northwest. Yellow leaves and leaf drop due to cherry leaf and bacterial spot infections in sweet and tart cherries were found in the southwest and southeast. Raspberry harvest was completed in the southeast and northwest. Grapes began to soften and change color in the southwest. Vegetables The weekend provided much needed moisture in most areas, but growers said temperatures reminded them of fall. Heavy dews, rain, and fog have kept purple spot pressure high in asparagus in the west central. Dry conditions and Phytophthora caused some early die-back. Cabbage planting for late season harvest has been a challenge with high temperatures and dry conditions over the last two weeks. Garlic harvest was underway for retail sales. Eggplant harvest peaked. Disease pressure remained high in the carrot crop. Harvest will begin next week for fresh market in the west central. Celery harvest was on schedule; size, yield, and quality were good. Leeks and parsnips were developing well. Cantaloup, muskmelons, and watermelons were being harvested. Size has been good and there have been very few problems reported. Pepper harvest continued with good size and yields. Pumpkins have fruit in most fields with no downy mildew seen in the crop thus far. Onions for shipping and retail sales have had very good growing conditions this season. The radish crop looked good. Downey mildew became a factor for cucumbers for pickles. Processing tomato harvest will begin later this week in the southeast. Potato yield and quality seemed to be very good as early tablestock harvest got underway. Irrigation continued on the snap bean crop. Sweet corn harvest progressed, and reports were positive for yield. Rust was present in some fields. Soil Moisture and Crop Condition Tables Soil moisture for week ending 08/10/08 --------------------------------------------- : Very : : : Stratum : short : Short :Adequate:Surplus --------------------------------------------- : Percent : Topsoil : 22 35 41 2 Subsoil : 15 33 50 2 --------------------------------------------- Crop condition for week ending 08/10/08 ----------------------------------------------------------- : Very : : : : Crop : poor : Poor : Fair : Good :Excellent ----------------------------------------------------------- : Percent : All Hay : 3 7 22 55 13 Barley : 1 9 25 60 5 Corn : 3 8 24 44 21 Dry beans : 5 6 21 53 15 Oats : 1 5 20 58 16 Pasture : 2 21 30 38 9 Soybeans : 3 9 32 44 12 ----------------------------------------------------------- Crop progress for week ending 08/10/08 ---------------------------------------------------------------- : This : Last : Last : 5-year Crop : week : week : year :average ---------------------------------------------------------------- : Percent : All hay, second cutting : 82 74 90 81 All hay, third cutting : 28 19 26 23 Blueberries, harvested : 58 47 68 63 Corn, silked : 96 86 94 89 Corn, dough : 40 14 33 25 Dry beans, blooming : 81 63 86 86 Dry beans, setting pods : 57 11 62 61 Oats, turning yellow : 98 85 95 97 Oats, harvested : 48 21 61 52 Peaches, harvested : 35 32 34 28 Potatoes, harvested : 14 9 4 NA Soybeans, blooming : 96 84 94 91 Soybeans, setting pods : 77 50 75 66 Tart cherries, harvested : 97 91 93 96 ---------------------------------------------------------------- Contact Information U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service Michigan Field Office P.O. Box 26248 Lansing, MI 48909-6248 517-324-5300; or 800-453-7501 Fax 517-324-5299 email: nass-mi@nass.usda.gov Web Page: http:/www.nass.usda.gov/mi Weather Information Table Michigan Weather Summary for Week Ending 08/10/08 1/ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : :Cumulative growing: : Temperature : degree days 2/ : Precipitation :------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : : : : : : : : : Normal Station : : :Departure: : : :This:Last :Last : Since :------------- :Maximum :Minimum : from :2008 :2007 :Normal:week: two :four :April 1: Since : For : : : normal : : : : :weeks:weeks: :April 1:month ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ironwood : 77 37 1,247 1,657 0.15 0.77 2.26 12.35 Marquette : 78 50 1,171 1,588 0.12 0.73 2.33 13.92 Stephenson : 88 46 1,528 1,729 0.07 1.22 2.80 14.25 Western UP : 88 35 -1 1,290 1,644 1,334 0.10 0.79 2.23 12.36 13.95 3.69 : Cornell : 81 52 1,367 1,707 0.13 0.77 1.75 12.66 Sault St Marie : 82 56 1,209 1,526 0.13 0.32 1.92 12.25 Eastern UP : 82 46 1 1,206 1,545 1,150 0.12 0.70 1.86 13.08 13.06 3.53 : Beulah : 85 54 1,631 1,811 0.10 1.36 2.14 16.96 Lake City : 88 52 1,571 1,733 0.47 1.09 1.96 18.12 Old Mission : 89 56 1,561 1,717 0.06 0.06 0.83 10.20 Pellston : 84 50 1,485 1,662 0.54 0.80 2.82 13.60 Northwest : 89 50 1 1,516 1,694 1,512 0.24 0.63 1.74 13.78 12.34 3.11 : Alpena : 85 52 1,552 1,702 0.93 0.96 4.53 14.00 Houghton Lake : 86 51 1,604 1,733 0.38 0.41 1.99 15.09 Rogers City : 84 53 1,506 1,753 0.68 0.77 3.18 15.63 Northeast : 86 51 0 1,560 1,714 1,464 0.69 0.78 3.39 14.80 12.48 3.12 : Fremont : 87 49 1,734 1,918 0.70 0.72 0.87 12.64 Hart : 83 49 1,662 1,819 1.04 1.04 1.23 15.07 Muskegon : 83 56 1,716 1,947 0.78 0.83 1.11 12.52 West Central : 87 49 -1 1,677 1,860 1,655 0.72 0.80 1.82 15.40 12.45 3.60 : Alma : 90 51 1,840 2,011 0.54 1.39 1.93 9.79 Big Rapids : 88 50 1,761 1,813 0.36 1.01 1.72 12.06 Central : 90 48 0 1,778 1,907 1,724 0.57 1.38 2.17 10.74 13.42 3.64 : Bad Axe : 84 55 1,765 1,851 1.28 3.34 5.45 17.05 Pigeon : 83 54 1,708 1,782 1.11 1.35 2.69 10.90 Saginaw : 86 51 1,876 2,007 1.14 1.92 3.52 13.48 Standish : 87 50 1,661 1,780 0.85 1.35 4.13 13.40 East Central : 88 50 -1 1,730 1,859 1,710 1.15 1.93 3.91 13.23 12.23 2.93 : Fennville : 85 50 1,743 1,928 0.86 0.86 1.72 17.44 Grand Rapids : 87 53 2,003 2,180 0.59 0.59 0.84 16.03 Holland : 86 54 1,997 2,121 0.77 0.77 1.47 18.03 South Bend, IN : 83 49 2,064 2,277 0.69 0.69 1.56 11.61 Watervliet : 83 49 1,891 2,091 0.73 0.80 2.16 14.72 Southwest : 89 46 1 1,911 2,079 1,859 0.63 0.69 1.84 16.17 14.16 3.18 : Belding : 87 47 1,777 1,930 0.47 0.66 0.73 10.27 Coldwater : 86 46 1,893 1,980 0.30 0.30 0.91 12.32 Lansing : 86 49 1,943 2,043 0.14 0.18 1.13 11.56 South Central : 87 46 -1 1,879 2,015 1,840 0.45 0.62 1.62 12.58 14.02 3.36 : Detroit : 88 51 2,130 2,209 0.14 0.21 1.01 10.52 Flint : 86 49 1,985 2,008 0.88 1.22 3.08 11.80 Romeo : 89 50 1,863 1,941 0.58 1.44 3.53 12.05 Tipton : 87 49 1,927 2,002 0.16 0.16 0.52 16.03 Toledo, OH : 87 52 2,102 2,180 0.01 0.04 0.97 14.67 Southeast : 89 46 -1 1,941 2,047 1,823 0.47 0.85 2.00 13.92 13.56 3.12 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Issued by the USDA, NASS, Michigan Field Office in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Commerce, Michigan State University's Cooperative Extension Service, Agricultural Meteorologist, Department of Geography, and Crop Advisory Team ALERTS. 2/ Growing degree days (GDD) is the sum of daily mean temperatures minus 50 per day, 86 maximum and 50 minimum. The GDD is accumulative from April 1.