Michigan
The trend toward positive weather and positive gains for crops continues. “The summer has been going pretty well,” said Jim Collum, an agricultural statistician for the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) Michigan office. “A lot of guys were concerned about the lack of moisture the past couple of weeks, but the rain came at just the right time.”

Collum described corn as highly variable across the state. It all depends on when the corn was planted, relative to some of the beneficial rainfall. Some of the corn is short, while other fields are tasseled out and silking.
The latest crop progress statistics for corn indicate 45 percent of it is silked, compared to 46 percent last year at this time, with a five-year average of 56 percent.

The wheat harvest was wrapping up in southern counties with excellent quality, according to the latest report, with 67 percent harvested. Last year 35 percent had been harvested at this time, with a five-year average of 73 percent.

Fifty percent of soybeans were blooming, with 74 percent blooming this time last year and a five-year average of 67 percent. Sixty-two percent of all hay was in its second cutting, with 58 percent last year and a five-year average at this time of 61 percent.

For fruit and vegetable crops, Collum said they were approaching normal. “It’s only a few days behind at this point,” he said of the crops, in general.
The tart cherry harvest was completed in the southwestern part of the state, with the harvest 49 percent completed statewide.
By Kevin Walker
Michigan Correspondent

Indiana
High temperatures and humidity in recent weeks have been hard on crops and livestock. Six of nine USDA districts in Indiana recorded triple-digit temperatures in the week ending July 22, and the humidity made it feel even hotter.

“There were widespread stresses on all livestock,” said Greg Preston, director of the Indiana office of the NASS. “People immediately started taking action.”
He said farmers have done pretty well averting too many losses. Turkeys, though, are particularly susceptible to extreme temperatures, and some producers with market-ready birds reported losses.

At market weight, heat is harder on their circulatory system, according to Tom Shaffer, director of live turkey operations for Perdue’s Indiana complex. Body heat builds up in the barns, as well, and it’s harder to lose the heat when humidity is also high.

Corn is firing on high ground and well-drained soils, according to a NASS report released July 25. Only 46 percent of the crop was rated in good to excellent condition, with 62 percent silked. Over a five-year average, 71 percent is silked by this time.

Some farmers have expressed concern about pollination during the extreme heat, which can kill corn pollen. However, extension agronomist Bob Nielsen said two factors prohibit significant pollen loss: not all pollen matures and sheds at once, and pollen shed occurs early in the day, when temperatures aren’t so hot.

Seven percent of the soybean crop were setting pods, compared to 18 percent on a five-year average. The crop was rated 47 percent good to excellent.
By Andrea McCann
Indiana Correspondent

Illinois
Oppressively hot and dry conditions have been dominant over much of the state, until last week when some areas received some welcome rain. Even with the rain and flooding threats in northern Illinois, many crops are showing signs of heat stress and low moisture.

Although most weather information comes from the National Weather Service, producers also look to market advisors, who tend to keep a close eye on the sky. Jim Bower of Bower Trading in Lafayette, Ind., is a well-known advisor.
On Friday, Bower reported “areas that received light rain will likely see a quick return to increasing crop stress as temperatures warm again late this weekend into next week. Soil moisture over the coming week will remain favorable for many northern crop areas, but ... parts of central and interior southern Illinois ... will continue fighting shortages and experience more stress.
“Areas that did not receive significant rain Thursday into this morning or today into Saturday will continue to see increasing levels of crop stress and additional cuts in yield potentials until greater rain arrives.

“An increase in shower activity beginning Tuesday evening and continuing through August 9 will slowly improve conditions for crops, but the rain will not likely be heavy enough to induce a lasting increase in soil moisture, and crop stress could quickly increase if a period of hot and dry weather were to follow,” he added.

The NASS reported an average statewide temperature of 84.5 degrees, eight degrees above normal. Precipitation across the state averaged a mere 0.2 inch, 0.11 below normal. NASS reports, however, that topsoil moisture statewide is 58 percent adequate, 28 percent short and only 10 percent very short.
Corn is reportedly 86 percent silked, above the five-year average of 81 percent and below the 2010 figure for the week of 95 percent. Soybeans are at 67 percent blooming and about 15 percent have set pods.

About 93 percent of the state’s alfalfa crop is reportedly on the second cutting and 13 percent already is on the third.
By Deborah Behrends
Illinois Correspondent