Across Michigan, more than 90 percent of the corn crop is in the ground and 70 percent of it has emerged. However, there are pockets in the state with heavy clay soils that are far behind other regions.

"I’d say right around this part of West Michigan, corn is about 60 percent planted and beans, about 30 percent," said Holland area farmer Dave Brink. "About 75 percent of our corn and 10 percent of the beans are in on our farm."

Moisture held in the area’s heavy clay soils have kept soil temperatures below normal. "At this point, it can happen quickly and we can be done in 10 days with warmer temperatures," he said.

Fluctuation between a few days of cool, rainy weather followed by a few days of warm weather is the primary culprit for the slowdown. Northern Allegan County received about 6/10 of an inch of rain last week, the majority of it during brief downpours last Tuesday afternoon.

Some crops planted earlier are having emergence issues because of heavy rains two weeks ago. "There will probably be some replanting," Brink added.

On the whole, the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) reported 5.9 suitable planting days during the week ending on May 24 in the Great Lakes Regional area. Cold mornings and cool days have slowed crop development.

Statewide, 76 percent of soybeans are in the ground and 42 percent have emerged.

First cutting of dry hay is just beginning in southern parts of the state as farmers wait and watch for consecutive sunny days. Northern portions of the state report a need for rain to obtain some growth on first-cutting hay.

Soil temperatures have been too cool for making progress on dry bean planting. Fruit development continues in spurts as temperatures vary between stretches of cool and warm days.