Recent rains have eased drought stress in Michigan, but cooler-than-normal temperatures are slowing crop progress throughout the state, according to the most recent report from the Great Lakes regional office of NASS.

Paul Gross, Michigan State University extension field crops educator in north-central Michigan, said, "Corn is progressing very slowly with the cold temperatures. We are only accumulating growing-degree days (GDD) in the single digits. Some of the corn is dented, some are still roasting ears and most is just denting. I think it will make black layer if we don’t get frost in September, but it will be wet, wet, wet."

According to the NASS report, farmers said corn condition was 72 percent good to excellent, compared to 66 percent last year. Gross said a little silage harvest has started, and he expects it to be in full swing within the next week.

Farmers statewide reported that white mold infestations in the soybean crop, especially in the eastern part of the state, have required reapplication of pest and disease control chemicals.

"Soybeans are turning fast," Gross said. "White mold is really starting to show its ugly head in many fields. It is especially bad in low areas of the fields.

"The crop will be okay, but harvest will be late, pushing wheat planting into late October. Late wheat planting usually means lower yields next summer."

Dry edible beans are on schedule. Farmers reported 34 percent of the crop is dropping leaves, which is in line with the five-year average of 38 percent, according to the NASS report.

"I talked with a few growers and they said the higher areas of fields are almost ready for harvest, but are still green in the lower areas," Gross said of dry beans in the central Michigan area. "There is some white mold as well."

According to NASS, wet and cool conditions have hindered hay harvest in much of the state. Gross said most harvest is done for now but there may be some fourth or fifth cutting after the crop goes dormant, if weather conditions are favorable.