Wheat watchers week of May 13, 2024
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EmailSee how the wheat crop is progressing across the state this week.
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 reached harvest. 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 7-10.5.3.
Southwest region
We had three wheat watchers reporting from southwest region: one from St. Joseph County near Centreville, one from Allegan County near Wayland and the last from Barry County near Hickory Corners. Wheat in Barry County is reported to be at Feekes 10.1-10.3, which is first awns of head just visible to half the head emerged. The watcher in St. Joseph County is reporting Feekes is anywhere between 10.5-10.5.1, which means heading is completed and some of it is just starting to flower across the area. The watcher in Allegan County is reporting Feekes 10.4, which is when three-fourths of the head is out of the leaf sheath.
There are some fungicides going out across the region for flag leaf and farmers are looking toward a fungicide at flower. The watcher in St. Joseph County is reporting fields have been very wet lately, leading some farmers to consider flying on fungicides. All wheat watchers are reporting seeing powdery mildew across the region. The watchers in Allegan and St. Joseph counties are seeing low numbers of aphids. The watcher in Allegan County is also seeing cereal leaf beetles. There is adequate moisture across the area and the recent cool weather hasn’t seemed to slow down wheat development.
If you are interested in receiving southwest Michigan crop updates, MSU Extension field crops educator Nicolle Ritchie puts out a weekly update through MSU Extension Field Crops News.
Southeast region
We had two wheat watchers reporting from the southeast: one from Jackson County and one from Monroe County near Ida. They are reporting Feekes 10-10.5. The watcher in Monroe County believes most wheat will be heading out before the end of this week. There is some powdery mildew being reported by the watcher in Jackson County. The watcher in Monroe County reports adequate rain as it has been raining about every three days.
East central (Thumb) region
We had two wheat watchers reporting from the Thumb: Two from Huron County near Ubly and Elkton, respectively. Wheat has reached Feekes 7-9 across most of the area, which means some is just starting to have the flag leaf fully emerged. At this point, most herbicide and spring nitrogen applications have been completed. The watchers are keeping an eye out for powdery mildew and rust, but not much has been seen yet. Powdery mildew pressure has been light. Farmers should consider waiting to apply fungicide until flower unless they are experiencing disease pressure. There was some frost damage, but it was very splotchy and not uniform across any fields.
Central region
We had two wheat watchers reporting from the central region: one in Ingham County near Mason and one from Montcalm County near Trufant. Wheat is reported at Feekes 8-10.5. The watcher near Mason is reporting Feekes 9-10.5 across the area. The watcher in Montcalm County has seen some what looks like herbicide burn. The watcher in Ingham County is reporting fertilizer applications and that some fungicide/micronutrients are being applied. Overall, disease pressure is low near Ingham County with Montcalm County seeing no insect or disease pressure. The weather has been agreeing with wheat development with adequate but not too much moisture.
If you are interested in viewing the central Michigan crop updates, MSU Extension field crops educator Monica Jean puts out a weekly, live update through the MSU Extension Field Crops Facebook page.
West central region
We had no wheat watchers reporting from west central this week.
North region
We had no wheat watchers reporting from the northern area this week.
Notes from Dennis Pennington, MSU wheat systems specialist
Pennington is reporting disease pressure is quite low for the year. Leaf rust, stripe rust, powdery mildew, wheat streak mosaic virus and cereal leaf beetle have been confirmed at this point this growing season. Pennington notes that all of these are occurring at low levels. He is reporting that wheat development is currently about 10 days ahead of normal. If the weather pattern remains, T3 (flowering) applications will likely be seven to 10 days earlier than normal. This also means that harvest may be a week earlier than normal.
