Michigan
Wet weather was the story again regarding Michigan crops for the week that ended May 22. Three days were suitable for fieldwork that week.
“In some areas it seems that despite all the precipitation, they remain optimistic about this year’s crops,” said Gerald Tillman, deputy director of NASS’ Michigan office. “I think the commodity prices have a lot to do with that. Three days last week was all they could do. That was pretty good.”
Tillman thinks if commodity prices were down in addition to all the bad weather, people would be in a lot worse mood than they are right now.
Thirty-one percent of asparagus has been harvested, compared to a five-year average of 39 percent at this time; 57 percent of corn has been planted, compared to a five-year average of 82 percent; 73 percent of potatoes are planted, compared to a five-year average of 67 percent; 24 percent of soybeans are in, compared to a five-year average of 51 percent; and sugar beets are 96 percent planted.
NASS additionally described crop conditions for hay as 58 percent good, 22 percent fair and 16 percent excellent; corn as 47 percent good, 35 percent fair and 11 percent excellent; pasture as 52 percent good, 21 percent fair and 19 percent excellent; and winter wheat as 55 percent good, 21 percent fair and 18 percent excellent.
By Kevin Walker
Michigan Correspondent
Iowa
Despite part of the state having fewer than three days of suitable fieldwork two weeks ago, Iowa’s corn and soybean planting progress this spring has quickly outpaced the 2010 planting season, according to the May 23 Iowa Crop and Weather report.
“Between showers, farmers have been able to make significant planting progress the last three weeks and moved ahead of the five-year average for both corn and soybean planting,” said Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey.
Although good stands were reported where crops have emerged, “farmers would appreciate some dry, warm weather to help speed emergence,” the report stated.
State Meteorologist Harry Hillaker said “a few of the Saturday evening (May 21) storms brought high winds and large hail to parts of western and southwestern Iowa,” with “strong thunderstorms in eastern Iowa,” and “severe storms reported in 18 counties.”
As of May 22, 98 percent of Iowa’s corn was planted, with 74 percent emerging. Soybean planting was 78 percent complete, with 21 percent emerging. The report added “south-central (Iowa) is the only district with over half their soybeans remaining to be planted.” Oat planting is nearly finished, with 98 percent emerging.
Mike Owen, Iowa State University extension field agronomist, said “a fortunate few growers were able to get herbicides applied prior to the planting and/or emergence of the crop, but now some are expressing concerns that the herbicidal activity has diminished.
“Many weeds emerge opportunistically,” Owen added, “and as the amount of herbicide in soil diminishes due to degradation, new weeds are likely to emerge, despite the earlier herbicide application.”
By Doug Schmitz
Iowa Correspondent
Tennessee A reduction in rain last week led to an increase in planting crops in the Volunteer State. According to a report from NASS, almost half of the state’s cotton acreage and a quarter of its soybean acreage were planted by the end of the week ending May 22.
Except for low-lying fields still flooded from torrential rains earlier this month, most of the state’s corn-for-grain acreage was planted. In addition, row-crop farmers were busy planting single-crop soybeans and corn silage, while farmers were able to cut hay and transplant tobacco. Most winter wheat around the state was in good condition and continued to mature.
In addition to crops going into the ground, something – or, rather, millions of somethings – emerged from the ground for the first time in 13 years. The 13-year cicadas are generally known for the “songs” the adult males sing to attract females shortly after emerging from their underground homes, where they’ve lived for the last 13 years.
The songs can be rather loud because of the sheer number of males singing. Blount County extension agent John Wilson said farmers in his area are well aware of the return of the loud insects.
“Several farmers completed corn planting and have moved to soybean fields and are readying for wheat harvest. Hay fields saw a lot of activity with improving conditions this week. Brood XIX of the 13-year Cicadas has definitely emerged, and they are so numerous in some portions of the county the sound is deafening,” he said.
“Most farmers got the opportunity to plant corn acreages and some cotton due to four days of no rain, even though it’s getting late for corn. Pastures are in good condition and producers are cutting hay and selling a few bales,” said county agent J.C. Dupree Jr. of Lauderdale County.
“The wheat crop showed evidence of ripening as the crop began to turn color this week. It still looks in good shape for the erratic weather this spring. Most producers reported finishing with corn and beginning to concentrate on beans,” reported Franklin County agent Ed Burns.
By Tesa Nauman
Tennessee Correspondent
Kentucky Below-normal rainfall and temperatures across the Bluegrass State aided in the planting of several crops in the week ending May 22. Many fields were still saturated from rainfall the state received in the preceding weeks. The moisture in the state’s topsoil and subsoil were rated at 51 percent surplus.
However, many farmers were able to go ahead with planting corn and soybeans, setting tobacco, cutting hay and spraying fungicide, according to NASS.
Corn planting progress was at 62 percent, down 34 percent from last year and 25 percent from the five-year average. Corn emergence was reported at 38 percent, down 50 percent from 2010 and 36 percent for the five-year average.
Thirty-seven percent of emerged corn condition was rated fair, while 40 percent was rated good and 16 percent excellent. In some fields water damage will force replanting or a possible switch from corn to soybeans, according to NASS.
Soybean planting progress was 33 percent below last year and 19 percent below the five-year average, at 10 percent. Soybeans emerged were only at 2 percent, falling far below last year’s 21 percent at this time and the five-year average of 13 percent.
Disease has affected some winter wheat crops because of the high amount of rain the state has seen recently. However, more than half of the state’s winter wheat, 53 percent, is rated as in good condition, and harvest is expected to begin around June 12, according to NASS.
Temperatures for the period averaged 62 degrees across the state, which was 3 degrees cooler than normal and 6 degrees below the previous period. The extreme high temperature for the period was 88 degrees at Bowling Green, and the extreme low was 37 degrees at Black Mountain, according to Kentucky extension agricultural meteorologist Tom Priddy and the University of Kentucky Agricultural Weather Center.
By Tesa Nauman
Tennessee Correspondent |
