News

Southwest Michigan field crops update – July 3, 2024

Published on July 3, 2024
Winter wheat harvest continued. More soybeans entered reproductive stages, and some commercial corn has begun to tassel. Second generation Colorado potato beetles were confirmed in potatoes.
Early summer crop water needs

Published on July 3, 2024
Effective early water management involves applying irrigation only when necessary to give the crop a strong start, while considering that over-irrigation can lead to losses of crop inputs.
Introducing weekly crop water use reports for irrigation scheduling

Published on July 2, 2024
Weekly crop water use recommendations offer irrigators scientifically based guidance on how much irrigation water to apply when rainfall is insufficient.
Southwest Michigan field crops update – June 20, 2024

Published on June 20, 2024
Soybeans began flowering, side dressed nitrogen applications continued in corn, and wheat kernels began to dry down.
The comeback of the European corn borer?

Published on June 19, 2024
Join MSU Extension to hear Jocelyn Smith discussing European corn borer during the June 27 Field Crops Virtual Breakfast Series.
Traverse City cherry, apple grower optimistic new climate program will address soil health

Published on June 19, 2024
Raul Gomez, operations manager of Wunsch Farms in Traverse City, said changing climate patterns have shown the importance of accurately applying water and nutrients to the soil.
Field Crops Virtual Breakfast Series continues with Cercospora leaf spot management in sugarbeets

Published on June 18, 2024
Jaime Willbur, MSU plant pathologist, will provide strategies for controlling Cercospora leaf spot in sugarbeets during the June 20 Virtual Breakfast Series.
Fertigation and sidedress nitrogen applications can protect farm profits and the environment

Published on June 17, 2024
Split nitrogen applications, such as fertigation and sidedress nitrogen, on sandy soils are an essential component to increasing nitrogen use efficiency and mitigating environmental risks.
Water use reporting: Making it easy to record with irrigation scheduling tools

Published on June 14, 2024
As the April 1 deadline for past year water use reporting for irrigation and other large water uses came and went, many producers are reminded of the value of keeping good records within their water management.
Aerial application: A sign of spring crop production

Published on June 13, 2024
Aerial applications are valuable for timing pest management regardless of soil conditions.