mi-crop-weather State Michigan Crop Weather Released July 27, 2009 Week Ending Date July 26, 2009 Issue MI-CW3009 Agricultural Summary Varied Precipitation Five days were suitable for fieldwork during the week ending July 26, according to the USDA, NASS, Michigan Field Office. Precipitation varied from 0.23 inches in the southwest Lower Peninsula to 2.17 inches in the east central Lower Peninsula. Average temperatures ranged from 4 degrees below normal in the Lower Peninsula and western Upper Peninsula to 3 degrees below normal in the eastern Upper Peninsula. Scattered thunderstorms delivered varied amounts of precipitation across the State. Although the damp conditions limited harvest activities, growers welcomed the much needed rainfall. Some areas of the State remained dry where limited amounts of rain were received. Most crop conditions were improved with the recent rainfall; however crop development remained behind normal due to cool temperatures. Growers continued to report the need for warmer temperatures to advance crop development. A grower in the northwest commented, "Corn is far behind its usual stage of development for the time of year. A long warm fall will be necessary." Field Crops Report Field Crops Welcomed rain showers appeared, while cooler temperatures remained present. A reporter in the southeast stated, "Some rain in the last week and this weekend are the million dollar rains. It should help all of the crops as they are all in need at this time." Wheat harvest was underway. Some farmers in the south central were taking wheat off wet because it had not dried out enough between rain showers. In the northwest, wheat was ready to be harvested but needed warmer temperatures. Frequent rain showers in the Thumb caused concern about the wheat crop; some sprouting had occurred. Oats in the central were not turning evenly. Corn and soybeans benefitted from the moisture, but both crops were not as tall as to they should be by this time in the growing season. Corn tasseling was variable throughout the State. Alfalfa harvest continued with many farmers having received a second cutting. Those farmers who had gotten their second cutting were pleased with the quality. Some were looking towards a third cutting. A reporter in the northwest stated, "Rain showers for the past 5 days have stopped haying activity." Sugarbeets benefitted from the rain last week, as soils were very dry. There were reports of Cercospora leaf spot in some fields. Dry beans continued to progress and were looking good. However, dry bean farmers were encountering cases of root rot. Fruit, Vegetable, and Specialty Crops Report Fruit Apples were 42 mm in the northwest; obliquebanded leafrollers were found. In the southeast, apples continued to size well as hand thinning wrapped up. Japanese beetle populations were slowly building. Blueberry harvest continued; many different varieties were being picked. Harvest of early variety peaches continued. Pears continued to size well; most were 1.75 inches in diameter. European plums were 1 inch in diameter. Harvest of summer raspberries continued. Newly planted strawberries continued to runner well and had filled out rows on most farms in the southwest. Sweet cherry harvest was underway in the northwest. Although a few cracks were evident, fruit appeared to be in good condition. Tart cherry harvest progressed in the west central and northwest. Grapes were at cluster tightening in the northwest; grape berry moth feeding was evident in a few vineyards. Vegetables Warm season-crops continued to be one to two weeks behind in development due to cooler temperatures. Irrigation was underway where it was available. Early sweet corn harvest started in southern Michigan. Across the State, observers noted European corn borer trap catches were down, but cutworm traps were up. Cucumber and summer squash harvest continued with some downy mildew problems reported. Pumpkin development was highly variable as wet weather delayed planting and cool temperatures slowed development. In the southwest, tomatoes grown under low tunnels and early cantaloupes were being harvested. Potatoes were reported to be in excellent condition on upland fields, where flooding did not occur this spring. In the Grand Rapids area, many pepper fields were developing fruit, while eggplant was in the flowering stage. Some peppers were harvested in the southeast. Onion bulb and leek development continued; in the West Central region, onions were reported in good condition, while in the East Central region, some purple blotch and thrips have been observed. Seeding and harvest of radishes and cabbage continued; growers reported that cole crops have thrived with the cooler weather. Celery harvest was well underway, and the last transplants have been placed in the ground. Snap beans were growing normally in most areas, while fern in asparagus fields was developing very slowly. Carrot growers continued to monitor fields for pests and disease. Soil Moisture and Crop Condition Tables Soil moisture for week ending 07/26/09 --------------------------------------------- : Very : : : Stratum : short : Short :Adequate:Surplus --------------------------------------------- : Percent : Topsoil : 13 28 53 6 Subsoil : 6 38 53 3 --------------------------------------------- Crop condition for week ending 07/26/09 ----------------------------------------------------------- : Very : : : : Crop : poor : Poor : Fair : Good :Excellent ----------------------------------------------------------- : Percent : All Hay : 3 8 28 50 11 Corn : 2 11 35 42 10 Dry beans : 5 14 39 34 8 Oats : 2 5 29 56 8 Pasture : 8 12 34 39 7 Soybeans : 3 11 38 43 5 Winter Wheat : 3 6 21 52 18 ----------------------------------------------------------- Crop progress for week ending 07/26/09 ------------------------------------------------------------- : This : Last : Last :5-year Crop : week : week : year :average ------------------------------------------------------------- : Inches : Corn, height : 55 46 68 65 : : Percent : All hay, second cutting : 56 54 61 62 All hay, third cutting : 5 2 5 6 Blueberries, harvested : 77 74 35 33 Corn, silked : 23 5 62 66 Dry beans, blooming : 18 7 41 44 Dry beans, setting pods : 4 0 4 13 Oats, turning yellow : 60 42 75 78 Oats, harvested : 5 4 5 13 Peaches, harvested : 8 7 13 11 Soybeans, blooming : 47 27 77 72 Soybeans, setting pods : 10 2 32 32 Strawberries, harvested : 99 91 99 100 Tart cherries, harvested : 25 17 55 68 Winter wheat, harvested : 38 13 80 81 ------------------------------------------------------------- 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 07/26/09 1/ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : :Cumulative growing: : Temperature : degree days 2/ : Precipitation :------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : : : : : : : : : Normal Station : : :Departure: : : :This:Last :Last : Since :------------- :Maximum :Minimum : from :2009 :2008 :Normal:week: two :four :April 1: Since : For : : : normal : : : : :weeks:weeks: :April 1:month ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ironwood : 75 45 966 1,021 0.64 1.40 1.69 9.08 Marquette : 75 45 845 949 0.64 1.40 1.69 9.09 Stephenson : 81 44 1,119 1,261 0.33 0.43 0.55 9.35 Western UP : 81 40 -4 948 1,020 1,100 0.79 1.38 1.64 9.34 12.14 3.42 : Cornell : 76 47 1,039 1,113 1.00 1.20 1.42 8.04 Sault St Marie : 77 46 850 962 1.06 1.75 2.40 9.38 Eastern UP : 79 44 -3 862 961 925 0.94 1.46 2.51 10.09 11.29 3.19 : Beulah : 82 47 1,158 1,342 0.91 0.91 2.05 10.69 Lake City : 81 48 1,113 1,288 1.13 1.17 2.05 12.21 Old Mission : 83 46 1,066 1,268 1.53 1.57 3.02 8.13 Pellston : 79 42 1,005 1,233 0.71 0.98 1.54 6.42 Northwest : 83 42 -4 1,053 1,238 1,252 0.89 1.00 1.91 8.51 10.91 2.99 : Alpena : 78 48 1,063 1,279 2.87 3.18 4.15 12.51 Houghton Lake : 81 46 1,107 1,336 2.28 2.37 2.75 12.13 Rogers City : 80 48 1,054 1,227 1.20 1.33 2.55 10.87 Northeast : 83 44 -4 1,078 1,292 1,207 2.11 2.32 3.01 11.65 10.87 3.18 : Fremont : 82 46 1,279 1,423 0.33 0.69 1.31 10.01 Hart : 82 43 1,199 1,340 0.61 0.71 1.35 12.99 Muskegon : 82 50 1,371 1,407 0.03 0.63 1.15 10.29 West Central : 84 43 -4 1,265 1,374 1,378 0.51 0.83 1.55 11.59 10.87 2.54 : Alma : 82 51 1,302 1,523 0.56 0.65 1.16 14.21 Big Rapids : 82 50 1,250 1,462 0.51 0.65 1.79 12.01 Central : 82 47 -4 1,271 1,477 1,442 0.76 0.91 1.65 12.18 11.73 2.97 : Bad Axe : 81 55 1,176 1,467 3.87 4.26 4.88 14.95 Pigeon : 80 53 1,172 1,423 3.18 3.24 4.10 14.21 Saginaw : 83 52 1,321 1,574 0.94 1.03 2.35 13.12 Standish : 81 49 1,184 1,383 1.30 1.33 1.93 11.63 East Central : 83 49 -4 1,180 1,477 1,427 2.17 2.31 3.21 13.85 10.74 2.92 : Fennville : 81 49 1,343 1,433 0.00 0.63 1.25 13.73 Grand Rapids : 81 51 1,488 1,660 0.09 0.94 2.46 16.54 Holland : 83 52 1,567 1,651 0.42 1.24 1.82 21.28 South Bend, IN : 83 51 1,624 1,726 0.40 0.88 1.44 13.60 Watervliet : 82 50 1,458 1,572 0.24 0.79 1.22 12.47 Southwest : 83 45 -4 1,473 1,590 1,554 0.23 0.79 1.29 13.65 12.59 3.09 : Belding : 81 45 1,283 1,471 2.63 2.91 3.27 13.77 Coldwater : 83 51 1,525 1,570 0.67 0.67 1.00 13.70 Lansing : 82 54 1,395 1,618 2.31 2.32 3.02 17.87 South Central : 83 45 -4 1,383 1,573 1,542 1.16 1.36 2.11 14.83 12.37 3.22 : Detroit : 81 59 1,583 1,776 0.99 1.27 2.47 15.57 Flint : 79 52 1,369 1,669 0.77 1.68 2.72 17.03 Romeo : 81 54 1,358 1,549 1.27 1.31 2.01 11.71 Tipton : 81 49 1,448 1,605 0.57 0.63 1.21 13.03 Toledo, OH : 82 56 1,624 1,753 1.03 1.19 1.52 12.97 Southeast : 83 49 -4 1,445 1,646 1,517 0.65 0.91 1.46 12.76 12.04 3.11 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Issued by the USDA, NASS, Michigan Field Office in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Commer 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.