EAST LANSING, Mich. — While skies remained dry and temperatures soared, farmers nearly completed their intended plantings, according to the USDA NASS, Great Lakes Regional Field Office. Dry conditions persisted across many northern and western counties, with the U.S. Drought Monitor rating 74.1 percent of the State as abnormally dry. Topsoil moisture conditions were rated 30 percent very short, 46 percent short, and 24 percent adequate.
Statewide, the average temperature for the week ending on June 4 was 71.4 degrees, 5.9 degrees above normal. Weather stations recorded an average of 0.04 inches of precipitation, 0.92 inches below average. There were 7.0 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending June 4.Â
Fieldwork competed last week included planting row crops, fertilizer application, hay baling and transplanting vegetable crops. Concerns about ongoing excessive dryness loomed last week as farmers in northern counties reported signs of drought stress in corn. Some farmers in western counties described soil crusting as posing challenges to crop emergence.
Corn and soybean planting reached 95 and 94 percent planted, respectively. Emergence reached 80 percent for corn and 74 percent for soybeans. Corn condition was rated 64 percent good to excellent while soybean condition was rated 65 percent good to excellent.
Winter wheat was 89 percent headed and 1 percent mature. Winter Wheat crop condition was rated 64 percent good to excellent, down from the previous week. Oat progress advanced to 92 percent planted, 83 percent emerged, and 22 percent headed. Crop condition for oats was rated 69 percent good to excellent, down from the previous week.
First cuttings of alfalfa and other dry hay were 83 percent and 78 percent completed, respectively. Pasture and range condition was rated 64 percent good to excellent.
— USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service