Hot temps yield a huge, early harvest in Michigan

[n2doc]

BY TINA LAM
FREE PRESS STAFF WRITER

The corn is already higher than an elephant's eye.

Because of hot, dry weather and an early start for some crops, Michigan's farmers are one to two weeks ahead of schedule harvesting everything from oats to peaches.

At the end of the first week of August, corn, dry beans, blueberries, peaches and oats were all well ahead of last year's harvest and even ahead of the average harvest over the past five years, the Michigan Farm Bureau said.

Spring frosts hurt the state's delicate cherry crops and the Leelanau Cherry Blossom Festival had to be canceled in May because the cherries blossomed too soon.

But the fruit crops that survived have grown quickly because of the above-normal summer temperatures, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

For example, 47% of the state's peach crop had been harvested by Aug. 8, compared with just 22% at the same time last year and less than a third on average over the past five years.



Read more:
http://www.freep.com/article/20100816/NEWS05/8160318/1322/Hot-temps-yield-a-huge-early-harvest-in-Mich.

[Ezlivin]

1. On the horizon: Banana, mango and papaya crops

The rising temperatures are going to change what and when we grow.

In coming years the average temperature in Indiana will match the current average temperature of North Texas. Now that will be one hell of a change for the good folks in Indiana.

[Uben]

4. Beware!

The temp here in North Texas today is 100 degrees and it feels like 105. H...O...T...! It's been so hot this year! I've been watering twice a week trying to keep my bermuda grass lawn alive and I feel like I'm losing the battle. My water bill is gonna be outrageous.

[Ezlivin]

7. Yeah, I know

I'm in North Texas, too.

My lawn is brown and dead. Opening the door to go out feels like opening the door to the oven.

But, hey, maybe we'll get another record snowfall to offset this heat!

[itsrobert]

2. The grocery store was filled with fruit and veggies today.

Big and good quality too. (San Diego)

[SoCalDem]

3. I am looking forward to some yummy corn.. at a good price

:)

[Scout]

5. been enjoying Michigan sweet corn, yummmmmmm, got about

5 dozen ears "de-cobbed", blanched, drained, bagged and in the freezer! they were $4/dozen from the local farm stand.

mmmmmmm, sweet corn, real butter, salt mmmmmmmmmm

[JNelson6563]

6. I hope the strawberries have same story this year

I am so over those giant, tough flavorless berries from California.

Julie