West central Michigan field crop regional report – May 2, 2013
It is still wet with limited progress on field work in the west central region.
Weather
Temperatures have warmed considerably in the past week. A few growers got out on the light, well-drained soils to do some tillage on Monday (April 29). We received 0.5 inches of rain on Tuesday (April 30), which has again limited progress. Air temperatures hit the 80 degree mark for the first time this season on Wednesday (May 1). Soil temperatures are in the 50s as of this week.
Crops
Spring planting and field work has still been very limited with many areas several days away from soils dry enough to allow tillage.
Wheat is at Feekes 4 to 5. Many fields still have standing water in low or poorly drained areas. New annual weed growth has been observed in many fields.
Alfalfa is at 2 to 4 inches in height. There is still very limited progress in establishing new seedings.
No true armyworm adult moths or black cutworm adult moths were caught in traps this week.
Other Michigan State University Extension field crop regional reports from this week: