Wheat Watchers Week of June 2, 2025
Print
EmailSee how the wheat crop is progressing across the state this week.
Enjoy this installment of Wheat Watchers! This report will come out weekly until most of the state hits flower and 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 stands in good condition with growth stages ranging from Feekes 10.1 to Feekes 10.5.4.
Southwest region
We had one wheat watcher reporting from the southwest region from Barry County near Hickory Corners. Wheat is at Feekes 10.5.3 to Feekes 10.5.4. There is some cereal leaf beetle pressure in low lying areas of select fields.
Southeast region
We had one wheat watcher reporting from the southeast region from Monroe County near Ida. Wheat is a Feekes 10.5. Fungicide applications for head scab have been completed over the past week or so. The region could use a little rain to help fill out heads.
East central (Thumb) region
We had three wheat watchers reporting from the Thumb: two in Huron County near Ubly and near Elkton, and one in Sanilac County near Peck. Wheat is at Feekes 10.5 near Peck. Near Ubly, some fields are at Feekes 10.5, with a few fields just starting to hit Feekes 10.5.1. Near Elkton, wheat is at Feekes 10.1.
No T3 fungicide applications have been made in the area but will most likely occur soon. The watcher near Elkton is seeing more wheat streak mosaic virus than last year. Temperatures near Elkton have been below normal up until this week, which the wheat has liked. One hot day shouldn’t hurt the wheat too much because the wheat isn’t pollinating yet.
Central region
We had four wheat watchers reporting from the central region: one from Ingham County near Mason, one from Gratiot County near Middleton, one from Montcalm County near Entrican and one from Saginaw County near Richville. Wheat near Richville is at Feekes 10.5.1 to 10.5.2 with fungicides for fusarium starting to be applied. Wheat in Montcalm County is at Feekes 10.5 and farmers are actively making fungicide applications for fusarium.
Wheat near Mason is at Feekes 10.5.3-10.5.4 and flowering is nearly complete. In the Mason area, T3 fungicide applications are mostly complete. Powdery mildew has been found in several fields. Overall, the wheat near Mason is looking good, even though it could use some rain.
Wheat near Middleton is at Feekes 10.5-10.5.1. There are several farmers in the Middleton area applying fungicide at flower to protect from head scab. There is some concern about the potential vomitoxin risk with wetter and more humid weather forecasted this week. This watcher also reports that last year wheat started to flower around May 21, and this year it was June 1. Harvest should be around mid-July, which is a more typical year.
West central region
We had no wheat watchers reporting from the west central area this week.
North region
We had no wheat watchers reporting from the northern area this week.
Notes from Dennis Pennington
With the exception of Tuesday, June 3, cool conditions are conducive to successful flowering and proper seed set.
The Fusarium Risk Tool is showing elevated risk on the east side of the Thumb and the lower corner of southwest Michigan. Foliar disease has been relatively light this season. Some stripe rust and leaf rust has been detected at low levels in the state, and some areas have relatively heavy powdery mildew. Other leaf spots such as Septoria are increasing. A head scab fungicide application will also provide protection of the flag leaf from foliar diseases. For a discussion on fungicide applications, see Field Crops Virtual Breakfast - Disease Management in Wheat and Small Grains.