Wheat Watchers Week of May 12, 2025
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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, this week reporters are seeing wheat stands in good condition ranging in Feekes growth stage 7-10. Wheat crops are looking to be in excellent condition.
Southwest region
We had two wheat watchers reporting from the southwest region: one from Barry County near Hickory Corners and one from St. Joseph County near Centreville. Wheat at Feekes 9-10.1. The watcher in St. Joseph County is reporting wheat at Feekes 9/10 and that some flag leaf applications of fungicide have occurred. Powdery mildew has been visible, and aphids and cereal leaf beetles at low levels. This watcher is also waiting to hear back on confirmation if they have some tan leaf spot.
The watcher in Barry County is reporting Feekes 9-10.1. They have had some fungicide passes occurring. The main concern so far in this area has been some powdery mildew.
Southeast region
We had two wheat watchers reporting from the southeast region: one from Jackson County near Jackson and one from Monroe County near Ida. Wheat is at a Feekes 9-10. The watcher in Jackson County repots some powdery mildew is severe enough to impact flag leaf. They are also seeing some cereal leaf beetle at low levels.
The watcher near Ida reports that they got some rain last week, which helped the wheat along, but was not helpful for those planting corn and soybeans.
East central (Thumb) region
We had one wheat watcher reporting from the Thumb in Huron County near Ubly. Wheat is at Feekes 7-8. The region got some rain early last week but the wheat could use another dose as the area is dry overall. There are some foliar leaf diseases beginning in the area, including some powdery mildew.
Central region
We had two wheat watchers reporting from the central region: one from Ingham County near Mason and one from Saginaw County near Richville. The watcher in Saginaw County is reporting Feekes 6 and that all herbicide/early fungicide has been applied. There is some powdery mildew in fields without fungicide. The watcher near Mason is reporting Feekes 9-10.
West central region
We had two watchers reporting from the west central region: one from Mason County near Scottville and one from Newaygo County near Newaygo. Both watchers are reporting Feekes 7.
The watcher near Scottville is reporting the last nitrogen application was made Monday, May 12. Fields that were not sprayed for weeds are seeing pressure. The region is getting very dry across the area. They did get a little rain early this week and it’s looking like more rain is coming, which is good for the wheat, but bad for planting of other crops.
The watcher near Newaygo is starting to see weed pressure and some foliar disease, possibly Septoria. They echo the comments of the other wheat watcher in this region: they finally got a little rain shower, but could use more and it is in the forecast.
Another comment from one of the watchers in this area is that they are struggling with the question of how much to invest in this year’s wheat crop with markets being what they currently are.
North region
We had no wheat watchers reporting from the northern area this week.
Notes from Dennis Pennington
Now is the time to be scouting for foliar diseases as there are many different ones popping up currently. On Wednesday, May 14, at a scouting in-service meeting in Barry County, the first stripe rust of the year that we are aware of in the state was found. The big diseases you should be keeping an eye out for right now are stripe rust and leaf rust. Leaf rust has not been found in the state yet this year but has been reported heavily from southern states. Also, there has been cereal leaf beetle activity around the state this year, but so far the levels have been fairly low.
