It was a cool week in the state with the 64.2-degree average temperature 1.6 degrees below normal, according to NASS for the week ending Sept. 16. While precipitation averaged 0.07 inch, 0.77 inch below normal, recent rain has slowed the maturing of corn and soybeans.

Corn dented was at 95 percent, according to the report, compared to 82 percent for the five-year average. Mature corn was at 38 percent, 9 percent ahead of the five-year average.

Fifty-six percent of soybeans were dropping leaves, compared to 16 percent last year and 44 percent for the five-year average. Fourteen percent of soybeans were mature, 2 percent ahead of the five-year average.

The fourth cutting of alfalfa hay was 67 percent complete, compared to 49 percent for the five-year average. Eighty-six percent of the third cutting of other hay was done, compared to 71 percent both for last year and the five-year average.

Ninety-eight percent of summer apples were harvested, 2 percent ahead of the five-year average. Fall and winter apples were 35 percent harvested, 6 percent ahead of the five-year average.

At Brumbaugh Fruit Farm the size of the apples isn’t as large as normal because of the drought. While they’ve got plenty of apples for sale, they’re buying them from other places to supplement their own crop – they lost 85-90 percent of their apples this spring.

“It got warm too early in March and everything bloomed too early, so the normal freezes burned the blooms,” said Shane Bietry, farm manager.

Crops continue to be ahead of schedule throughout Michigan. A trace of rain fell across some areas of the state last week, but dryness persists. According to the latest agricultural summary from the Michigan NASS field office, temperatures continue to be 3-4 degrees above normal in both the Upper and Lower peninsulas.

North-central Michigan received a light frost on Sept. 19. According to Paul Gross, Michigan State University extension educator in Isabella County, “it caused minimal damage to crops that were either mature or very near maturity.”

Corn harvest is under way in many areas of the state, and silage harvest is winding down. According to the NASS report, 6 percent of the state’s corn crop has been harvested, up from none this time last year. Farmers reported 28 percent of the crop remains in good to excellent condition, 25 percent is fair and 47 percent is poor to very poor.

Harvest of early-planted soybeans is just beginning. According to the NASS report, growers reported 81 percent of soybeans are turning leaves, up from 50 percent at this time last year, and 42 percent are dropping leaves, which is an increase from 17 percent one year ago. Thirty-nine percent of the crop is classified good to excellent, 31 percent is fair and 32 percent is poor to very poor.

All of the state’s dry beans are turning leaves, up from 91 percent last year, and 77 percent are dropping leaves, an increase from 65 percent one year ago. Dry bean harvest is continuing as weather permits, but is mostly at a standstill now due to rain that set in over the weekend throughout much of the Lower Peninsula.

Farmers most recently reported to NASS that 12 percent of the dry bean crop had been harvested, up from 10 percent this time last year.

Sugar beet harvest continued on a scheduled delivery basis and growers continue to spray fungicides to control cercospora.

Third-cutting alfalfa harvest is winding down, and some farmers are taking a fourth cutting.

Mostly dry conditions, coupled with cooler temperatures during the week of Sept. 10-16, aided harvest of Iowa’s crops, according to the Sept. 17 Iowa Crop & Weather report, with farmers completing corn harvest and moving on to soybeans.

“The record early harvest continues and is picking up speed, with 22 percent of the corn crop and 6 percent of soybeans having been harvested,” said Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey. “I expect harvest to continue to advance rapidly as farmers look to get drought-stressed crops out in a timely manner.”

Eighty-eight percent of corn is now mature and 22 percent has been harvested for grain or seed. Corn lodging is at 60 percent none to 5 percent heavy; ear droppage is at 68 percent none to 1 percent heavy, the report said.

Ninety percent of soybeans have turned color, 44 percent are dropping leaves and 6 percent have been harvested.

In her Sept. 19 crop analysis, Shannon Latham, vice president of Latham Hi-Tech Seeds in Alexander, Iowa, said producers need to start checking field loss.

“In several areas, fields are greening up with two- to three-leaf volunteer corn,” she said. “Follow your gut, not the book: slow down harvest speeds and slow down the fan a little. Trash in the bin will save bushels going out the back.

“Check your tailing and make proper adjustments,” she added. “Remember that three to five bushels on the ground from ears not being shelled completely or blowing corn out with too much air adds up to $24 to $40 an acre.”