Dry weather has accelerated apple harvest across Michigan, with reduced fruit size and yields reported in areas north of Grand Rapids.
Riveridge operations manager Justin Finkler told Brownfield that while volume has been affected, fruit appearance remains strong. "The one thing that we have had is exceptional coloring weather this year – fruit is very well colored, quality seems to be good," he said. Riveridge expects to complete at least 75 per cent of its harvest within the next two weeks.
According to the USDA, topsoil moisture in Michigan is 72 per cent short to very short, while subsoil moisture is 69 per cent short to very short. The state's latest weekly crop update shows stress across multiple commodities.
Corn conditions were rated 42 per cent good to excellent, with 33 per cent of the crop mature. Soybeans were rated 40 per cent good to excellent, with 68 per cent dropping leaves and 1 per cent harvested. Sugarbeet harvest was reported at 10 per cent complete, and winter wheat planting had reached 6 per cent.
The combination of limited rainfall and soil moisture deficits continues to influence both fruit and field crop performance across the state.
Source: Brownfield