West Central Michigan field crop regional report – June 12, 2014

Another solid week of progress in Central Michigan field crops.

Weather

Sunshine and warm temperatures dominated much of this week as planting progress of early spring crops is by and large complete in most of the area. Rain showers on Sunday, June 8, produced very little rainfall with only a few hundredths of an inch observed over much of the area. More significant rainfall occurred Wednesday, June 11, with many areas receiving 0.8 to 1 inch and some areas receiving significantly more. At Entrican, Michigan, air temperatures have ranged from the mid-70s to mid-80s for highs with nighttime lows dipping into the mid-40s to mid-50s for the week. Low soil temperatures are in the mid-60s at a 2-inch depth.

Crops

Corn planting is by in large complete with intended unplanted acres being switched to other crops or crop insurance options for prevented planting being considered by some growers. Growth stages of corn vary from emergence to V5 depending on planting date. Various grubs and wildlife damage are the pests most commonly encountered. Moth captures of black cutworm are down this week with three per trap. So far there have been few reports of larvae damage.

Soybean planting is continuing with over 90 percent of the crop planted. Much of the crop will benefit from the recent rains as emergence in some areas has been spotty due to soils that have been recently dry.

Dry bean planting is just beginning. Acres may increase somewhat; tight seed supplies of particularly the large seed classes will keep acres from expanding excessively.

Wheat is fully headed, flowering from field to field and within fields is variable. Many have applied fungicides to prevent head scab. The Pennsylvania State model for head scab risk can be found at www.wheatscab.psu.edu.

Alfalfa is at approximately 1/10 bloom and grasses such as orchard grass are fully headed and pollinating. Alfalfa harvest is well underway with several producers finished with first cutting. Alfalfa weevil is present at low levels in many fields. Regrowth should be monitored for feeding injury. No potato leafhoppers have been observed yet.

Other Michigan State University Extension field crop regional reports from this week:

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