Michigan

Although it was a wet week around Michigan, the weekend came with perfect weather to help the crops use the moisture and develop quickly.

Brian Troyer of Caledonia Farmers Elevator travels the state from end to end. He reported in the southwestern region that corn was at shoulder height, while some is just coming out of the ground. In the Thumb area it appears most of the crops are now planted and first cutting hay is mostly off, with some soybeans and corn being replanted in spots.
Troyer said, “Traveling the Lansing, St. Johns, Grand Rapids corridor I saw a similar trend: Some corn just coming up and corn that is two feet tall, while in some areas beans are just coming up and then in some fields beans are four inches tall.

“In the western part of the state, the first-cutting hay is complete and second-cutting is about to be cut. Wheat is beginning to turn, but there are plenty of drowned-out spots in fields along with gully washes that play havoc with harvest.”

He reported much nitrogen being applied last week and potatoes in southern Michigan in full bloom and being sprayed by a crop duster.
Fred Springborn of Michigan State University extension said in the west-central region, most areas received 2-3 inches of rainfall over Tuesday and Wednesday. Some areas received as much as 5 inches from this storm system. Flooding has returned to many fields, causing delays in pesticide applications and other field operations.

In central Michigan, Paul Gross of extension reported many fields have standing water but the warm weather has provided a rapid emergence and growth of later-planted crops. Oats and barley are beginning to head. The crops look good at this time.

Bruce Mackellar of extension reported wheat is moving toward maturity. Head scab is visible in fields that were not treated with fungicides, in some areas. Second-cutting alfalfa is growing well. Potato leafhopper activity and numbers are on a significant upswing.

Soybeans are at R1, for the most part. Later-planted soybeans are in the V1-2 growth stages. Herbicide application on soybeans continues to be a challenge in some areas, with larger weeds in some fields.
In southern Michigan, strawberry harvest is nearing the end and pumpkins fields are numerous and looking good.
By Melissa Hart
Michigan Correspondent

Iowa
Although most of Iowa received rain again the week of June 13-19, with hail reported in northern Iowa and continued flooding near the Missouri River, a few areas in the state were still in need of moisture as rainfall amounts varied widely.

“Locally, heavy rain fell across parts of the southeast on Monday and Tuesday nights, with significant flash flooding in Davis, Van Buren and Lee counties, and areas downstream in Missouri,” said State Meteorologist Harry Hillaker.
The June 20 Iowa Crop & Weather report said the continued rainfall has made finishing the first cutting of hay difficult for most Iowa farmers.

“The wet weather is a serious concern with the continued flooding issues along the Missouri River in western Iowa,” said state Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey. “Fortunately, much of the crop remains in good shape, but the persistent rains have made it difficult to finish spraying and sidedressing nitrogen for corn.”

The report said corn planting is complete, with soybean planting nearly finished and 95 percent emerging. The report added that first-cutting alfalfa is 72 percent complete, and 54 percent of the oat crop has headed.
Rachel Halbach, an agronomist for North Central Co-op in Clarion, however, said many fields in her area are showing sulfur deficiency. “Plant tissue test results from local fields have confirmed that for us, as well as deficient levels of zinc and manganese,” she said. “A handful of growers put out foliar micronutrient products to try to correct the problem.

“Most left untreated check areas, and except for one case, there is presently no visual difference between the treated and untreated.”
By Doug Schmitz
Iowa Correspondent

Tennessee
Crops in Tennessee progressed right along, with a little help from some rain, for the week ending June 19.

The winter wheat, which did well under previous hot and dry conditions, seemed to adjust just as well to the increase in moisture. By the end of the week, 97 percent of winter wheat had ripened and 75 percent had been harvested, according to a report from NASS.

Soybeans, tobacco and hay also progressed well. Eighty-eight percent of the soybean crop was planted, while 64 percent emerged; almost the entire hay crop – 97 percent – had its first cutting; and 87 percent of the tobacco crop was transplanted.

As usual, the largest percentage of crops was rated in good condition: 68 percent of soybeans, 60 percent of tobacco, 64 percent of cotton, 48 percent of corn and 45 percent of pastures, according to the report.
“The farmers in Fayette County were happy to see rain that came this week. Last week, farmers in Fayette County were chasing moisture and some had to quit planting due to lack of it. Farmers are spraying for pests in their crops, harvesting wheat, cutting hay and planting wheat beans,” Jeffery D. Via, Fayette County agent, said.

“Wheat harvest is near completion and soybean planters are following on the heels of the combines. Producers made excellent strides this week with plenty of heat and sunshine. Thunderstorms brought much-needed precipitation Thursday night and Friday with one to two inches being reported along with some hail,” reported agent Jeff Lannom of Weakley County.

“Got much-needed rain this week, but with the rain came some damaging winds. Lots of trees down across the county, and some fences are in need of repair. No report yet of any lost livestock,” said Kevin Rose, agent for Giles County.

West Tennessee temperatures averaged four degrees above normal, while they were nearly normal across the rest of the state. Precipitation levels were above normal across the state, according to NASS and the National Weather Service.

There were five days suitable for fieldwork across the Volunteer State that week. Topsoil moisture levels were rated 3 percent very short, 21 percent short, 65 percent adequate and 11 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels were rated 5 percent very short, 23 percent short, 68 percent adequate and 4 percent surplus.
By Tesa Nauman
Tennessee Correspondent