Wheat Watchers Week of April 27, 2026
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EmailSee how the wheat crop is progressing across Michigan this week.
Welcome to the third edition of this season’s Wheat Watchers! This report will come out weekly until most of the state hits flower then will switch to bi-weekly until most of the state has harvested. This report is only possible because of our agribusiness and farmers who participate as wheat watchers. If you are interested in being a wheat watcher, especially if you see your area isn’t represented, please reach out to Michigan State University Extension field crops educator Jenna Falor at falorjen@msu.edu.
Overall, reporters are seeing wheat ranging from Feekes 4–9. Across the state, rain is slowing spring nitrogen applications and spring herbicide passes, resulting in some waterlogged wheat.
Southwest Michigan
We had two wheat watchers reporting from the southwest region, one from St. Joseph County near Centreville and the other from Barry County near Hickory Corners. The watcher near Hickory Corners is reporting wheat is at Feekes 7-8 while the watcher near Centreville says wheat is slightly further along at Feekes 8-9.
The watcher near Centreville reports there has been some herbicide and fungicide applications made over the past week, and they are starting to see some flag leaves coming out yellower/striped. The wheat watcher near Hickory Corners is reporting some spraying and final nitrogen applications occurred last week and over the weekend before the area received more rain early this week.
Southeast Michigan
We had one wheat watcher reporting from the southeast region in Jackson County near Jackson. Wheat is at Feekes 7-8. The watcher has seen limited application windows due to wheat field conditions that have delayed herbicide applications. This watcher also noticed cereal leaf beetle and aphids in the field, but at low levels well below thresholds. They have also seen minor frost damage to emerging flag leaves.
East central (Thumb) Michigan
We had one wheat watcher reporting from the Thumb in Huron County near Ubly. Wheat is at Feekes 5. Some farmers were finally able to get into fields at the end of last week to apply some spring nitrogen and herbicides where needed. This coming weekend will hopefully provide an opportunity for those who haven’t been able to apply spring nitrogen yet. There are still some fields in the area with sitting water and plants that still look stressed from previous and repeated ponding in certain areas of the fields.
Central Michigan
We had three wheat watchers reporting from the central region: one from Saginaw County near Chesaning, one who scouted in Lapeer County near Mayville and Tuscola County near Richville, and one from Montcalm County near Entrican. All watchers are reporting wheat at Feekes 5-6.
The watcher near Chesaning reports no nitrogen or herbicide applications have started in the area until this past Thursday, April 23, because of wet field conditions. They are hoping field work can continue so herbicide application can proceed. Wheat is also starting to yellow due to lack of nitrogen and too much water.
The watcher near Richville reports herbicide applications should wrap up soon. The second application of split nitrogen is currently being applied.
The watcher near Entrican reports some spraying has taken place, but excessive moisture has been creating issues for field work. Some foliar diseases are being seen on lower leaves in the area.
West central Michigan
We had two wheat watchers reporting from the west central region this week, one from Mason County near Custer and one from Newaygo County. Wheat in Newaygo County is at Feekes 4-5 while wheat in Mason County is at a solid Feekes 4. The watcher in Newaygo County is reporting that 70-90% of nitrogen applications have been applied. The watcher near Custer was able to get nitrogen and sulfur applied Sunday and Monday, April 26–27.
Overall, this area is still trying to dry out from continued rain but finally has a break in the forecast this week. The remaining nitrogen should be completed during this dry window. The watcher near Custer reports that due to excessive rain, they will have to tear up about 25% of their winter wheat crop and replace it with a different spring crop.
North Michigan
We had no wheat watchers reporting from the northern area this week.
This work is supported by the Crop Protection and Pest Management Program [grant no 2024-70006-43569] from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
