Harvest development in Michigan above average

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Harvest development in Michigan above average

In Michigan, crop yields are higher than last year and above the five-year average for this time in July.

Scott Wilson, a farmer in Sanilac County, tells Brownfield that it is rare for corn to sprout around the Fourth of July, but it does happen in his area.

“We have corn that is just starting to flower, so it was well above knee height on the Fourth of July,” he says. “I would definitely say it’s a little further along.”

AUDIO: Scott Wilson

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports that 73 percent of corn is rated as good to excellent, with nine percent of the crop forming a flower.

22 percent of the soybeans are in flower and 4 percent are forming pods. 60 percent of the harvest is good to excellent.

In Michigan, 77 percent of winter wheat is rated good to excellent, with 73 percent mature and 31 percent harvested.

97 percent of the dry beans have germinated, 19 percent are flowering and 62 percent are rated good to excellent.

The first cut of alfalfa is 89 percent complete and the second cut is 14 percent complete. The sugar beets are 88 percent good to excellent.

Harvests of tart cherries, peaches and blueberries continue. Severe wind and hail damage from recent storms has been reported. Last week, downy mildew was detected on cucurbits in southeast Michigan, two weeks earlier than last year.