West central Michigan field crop regional report – May 9, 2013
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EmailSoils have dried considerably and planters are active in the west central region.
Weather
Temperatures have remained warm this past week with no significant rainfall. Air temperatures have been in the upper 70s to low 80s. Low soil temperatures are solidly in the 50s this week at a 2-inch depth.
Crops
Spring planting and field work has been going full speed ahead on well-drained soils. Many fields still have wet spots with standing water in some localized areas. Manure applications on livestock farms are underway.
Corn planting is well underway this week with many growers making significant progress. Ten to 15 percent of the crop is planted in Montcalm County with slightly less in other areas.
Wheat is at Feekes growth stage 5 with a few fields approaching Feekes 6. Nitrogen loss or the lack of nitrogen application is becoming apparent in many fields. Michigan State University Extension says to monitor fields closely if planning to apply growth regulator herbicides. Feekes 6 indicates the first node has emerged and the plant begins to be more susceptible to growth regulator herbicide injury. New annual weed growth continues to be observed in many fields.
Alfalfa is 6 to 8 inches in height. Drowned out spots are now apparent and this is an excellent time to evaluate stands as some thinning likely occurred in some areas from winter injury, aggressive cutting last season, flood injury or other stress factors. New seedings are being planted.
One true armyworm adult moth was captured this week. No black cutworm adult moths were caught in traps this week.
Other Michigan State University Extension field crop regional reports from this week:
