West central Michigan field crop regional report – June 27, 2013

Warm temperatures stimulate crop growth in the west central region.

Weather

High temperatures ranged from the mid 70s to the upper 80s this week at Entrican, Mich., with lows from the mid-40s to mid-60s. Average relative humidity levels have been increasing with several days over 70 percent. Passing thundershowers produced less than 0.5 inches of rain in some parts of the west central region this week, while much of the area remained dry.

Crops

Corn growth stages range from V4 to V10. The crop is growing rapidly. Many producers are making sidedress nitrogen applications.

Wheat grain fill is occurring. Leaf diseases such as powdery mildew are still at low levels; however, more Stagonosporum leaf blotch, formerly known as Septoria leaf blotch, is becoming present on flag leaves of untreated susceptible wheat varieties. A few cereal rust pustules are present in some fields. Overall yield prospect has improved over the past few weeks as ample moisture has been available for crop development and the overall presence of leaf diseases remain unusually low.

Soybean planting is finished. Many fields now have two to three trifoliates. A few aphids have been observed so far and what appears to be a good population of natural predators has also been observed.

Alfalfa harvest continues with many producers still waiting for the rains to pass to take first cutting. Second cutting is growing well where first was taken in a timely manner. Potato leafhopper adults are present in many fields and I am starting to see nymphs.

Dry bean planting is essentially finished with many fields emerged.

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

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