West Central Michigan field crop regional report – June 5, 2014

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Publish time: 9th June, 2014      Source: Michigan State University Extension
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A solid week of planting progress was made this week in West Central Michigan.

    

Posted on June 5, 2014 by Fred Springborn, Michigan State University Extension

        

Weather

More sunshine and warm temperatures for the majority of the week moved planting progress forward in West Central Michigan this week. Rain showers Monday and early Tuesday, June 2-3, did produce between 0.25 and 1 inch of rain in several parts of the West Central region. At Entrican, Michigan, air temperatures have ranged from the low 70s to mid-80s for highs with nighttime lows in the low 50s and 60s for the week. Low soil temperatures are in the mid-60s at a 2-inch depth.

Crops

Corn planting continued this week with 80-85 percent of the intended crop planted. Many are now considering switching to soybeans or investigating other options for the remainder of the yet to be planted acres. The early planted fields are at V4 with the majority of fields at V1 to V2. Germination has been rapid on newly planted corn and stands are generally very good.

Black cutworm moth capture is up a bit this week, with eight in one trap in the Montcalm County area. Several of my Michigan State University Extension colleagues in surrounding counties have also caught a few more moths this week – 10 in Oceana County and 13 in Isabella County. Growers, scouts and crop consultants continue to scout emerged crops for this and other early season pests.

Cereal rye cover crops are now headed out and are at Feekes growth 10.1-10.5.

Oat stands are generally good. Growth stage is highly variable. Emerged stands should be monitored for weed growth.

Alfalfa continues to grow well with most fields at 24-30 inches in height. Alfalfa weevil feeding is present in some locations at low levels and remains generally lower than in past years.

Wheat is at Feekes 10 to 10.1 in most fields. Disease pressure remains low in the fields I observed this week. The crop is maturing at an uneven rate not only from one field to the next, but also within fields, and it will be difficult to properly time fungicide applications for head scab control.

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

  

This article was published by Michigan State University Extension. For more information, visit http://www.cnchemicals.com/. To contact an expert in your area, visit http://www.cnchemicals.com/, or call 888-MSUE4MI (888-678-3464).

    

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