Wheat Watchers Week of May 4, 2026
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EmailSee how the wheat crop is progressing across the state this week.
Welcome to the fourth 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 5–9. Across the state, watchers are also reporting rain is slowing spring nitrogen applications and herbicide passes, resulting in some waterlogged wheat.
Southwest Michigan
We had two wheat watchers reporting from southwest region, one from St. Joseph County near Centreville and the other from Allegan County near Wayland. Both watchers report wheat has reached Feekes 9 and most herbicide and nitrogen passes have been completed for the most part. The watcher near Wayland is seeing some aphids and low pressure, while the watcher near Centreville reports some fungicide applications were made. Overall, both are reporting the cool temperatures have slowed growth, and wheat near Centerville has superficial frost damage.
Southeast Michigan
We had two wheat watchers reporting from the southeast region, one in Jackson County near Jackson and the other in Monroe County near Ida. Both watchers report wheat at Feekes 8–9. The watcher near Ida reports all herbicides and nitrogen have been applied, while the watcher in Jackson County has seen some nitrogen/sulfur deficiency stress where fertilizer applications were delayed or haven’t made it on yet. The Jackson County watcher is also seeing less cereal leaf beetles than last week.
The watcher in Monroe County reports fields are still plenty wet, causing issues with getting nitrogen and herbicides out in a timely manner.
East central (Thumb) Michigan
We had one wheat watcher reporting from the Thumb in Huron County near Ubly. Wheat is at Feekes 6. There has been a lot of activity this past week with nitrogen and herbicide applications occurring where the ground was dry enough. In other fields, tracks were being left to get out there. Cool temperatures have kept growth at what feels like a slower rate than normal. From the ponding earlier in the season, there are some areas of the fields that did not recover and others that are still showing stress.
Central Michigan
We had three wheat watchers reporting from the central region: one from Isabella County near Mt. Pleasant, one who scouted in Lapeer County near Mayville and Saginaw County near Richville, and one from Montcalm County near Entrican. All three watchers report wheat at Feekes 6, with the watcher near Richville reporting some fields are starting to hit Feekes 7.
The watcher near Entrican reports fertilization is wrapping up and herbicides are being applied as needed. Lower temperatures have slowed growth, and fields are finally starting to dry out.
The watcher near Richville reports herbicide applications are complete. The second application of split nitrogen is also wrapping up. Overall, wheat in the region is looking good, though some uncontrolled weeds are breaking through.
West central Michigan
We had one wheat watcher reporting from the west central region in Mason County near Custer. Wheat has reached Feekes 5. Most fertilization has been completed as well as herbicide applications in the past week. The rain has finally let up, but temperatures haven’t gotten out of the 50s.
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.
