Weekly Ag Update

By ned birkey

msu EXTENSION EDUCATOR EMERITUS

SPARTAN AG 

 The National Weather Service Climate Prediction Center’s (CPC) outlook to Sept. 15 calls for likely above normal temperatures but near normal outlook for precipitation. The official CPC 30-day forecast for September is for leaning above normal temperatures and equal chances of normal precipitation. However, the three-to-four-week outlook for the second half of September is below normal temperatures and an above normal outlook for precipitation. The Autumnal equinox will be Sept. 22 at 8:05 p.m. EDT when the sun crosses the equator on its journey south. On that date, there is roughly 12 hours of daylight, with sunrise for Ida, Mich., at 7:21 a.m. EDT and sunset at 7:31 p.m. Standard time starts on the first on Nov. 1, 2026. The fall forecast for September through November is calling for equal chances of normal temperatures and equal to below normal outlook for precipitation.

National Farm Safety and Health Week is Sept. 21-25, 2026, with the theme of “Safety Today, Success Tomorrow.” According to OSHA, injuries from falls topped their annual list of most-cited violations, even from heights as low as 4 feet.  The National Education Center for Agricultural Safety has a Farm First Aid kit available for purchase that meets the needs of people working in agriculture. This handy kit is suitable for a pickup truck, tractor, combine, barns or sheds. Other companies, such as Tractor Supply and Gemplers, have first aid kits; the Gempler Farm First Aid kit costs $44.99 for example.

Soybean yields remain to be determined as most fields are still green and filling pods. Some fields have had tremendous vegetative growth this year due to timely rains, but will there be more pods, will those pods be filled out, and how many seeds will be in those pods? In 16 years of running the Michigan soybean yield contest, the tallest soybeans usually did not have more pods, more pods per node and more beans per pod, therefore the tallest soybeans did not outyield shorter but more prolific podding and shorter planter. There are yield formulas for soybeans and they assume 2.5 seeds per pod and 3,000 seeds per pound. Once plants begin to change color, then photosynthesis is finished and a pre-harvest yield estimate will be more reliable.

Composting is something many homeowners talk about doing to improve their flower or vegetable gardens soils. With all the rain, there is plenty of green (grass) material, and with more leaves, there likely will be more brown material to get off to a good start. The Monroe County Community College Lifelong Learning is offering a class on composting for the home and garden on Sept. 23, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Whitman Center. Cost is $39 or $22.50 for seniors. Call 734-384-4127 to register or for more information.