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"It was exceptionally dry in April and May, and the second thing is it was abnormally cool," said Martin Nagelkirk, Sanilac MSU Extension director. "At the time of planting it was timely getting crops into the ground, but they are emerging and developing very slowly," he stated last Thursday.

Although most of the corn crop was planted by the first few days of May, it's only a couple inches tall because of the cool conditions.

"It is poised to get tall with some rain and warmth (which was forecast for last weekend)," he noted.

Nagelkirk said it is the same story with soybeans.

"They took a few weeks to come up. They are coming up nice and look good for the most part despite the extremely cool temperatures," he reported.

He said isolated fields of soybeans and sugar beets damaged by the frost two weeks ago had to be replanted.

Michigan Sugar Vice-president of Agriculture Paul Pfenninger said only about 3 % of their total beet acreage had to be replanted.

"That's not bad... It has been going good, we've had a real good star," said Pfenninger. "Most of the beets were planted in April... They did get planted early enough to establish the crop."

He added, "The stands are adequate. Seventy percent are average or above average, 10% are below average."

Although it has been a dry spring, the moisture levels have not been detrimental to beets.

"We've got a better than average looking crop, I'd say the potential for this crop is very good," said Pfenninger.

Over half of the sugar beets have been planted with Roundup Ready seeds so that when they are sprayed for weed control the herbicide is less likely to hurt the beets.

"It makes controlling weeds real easy... It will definitely be more effective and make for less trips across the fields," Pfenninger explained.

"Wheat is doing okay, although it could certainly use more rain... If we could get a bit of moisture the next few weeks it could do fairly well (as it heads out)," Nagelkirk commented.

The wheat stalks are fairly short this year, which is a result of the lack of rain.

"It may or may not be an indication it could affect potential yield," he added.

Dry beans are just now being planted.

The hay harvest should begin this week.

"With the volatile air (temperatures and moisture predicted) I'm not sure how good conditions will be for taking off hay. We don't want it overly wet," Nagelkirk stated..

"It has (also) been developing slowly and the first cut yield will be a little bit slower than normal, but the quality may be pretty good... It over-wintered in good shape."

He added, "People are hungry for hay. Last year the hay (supply) was fairly short and it really upped the price. This is not a year you want to go out and buy hay."

Crop prices are still high.

"All commodities are very strong, but the cost of production is still very much up there, diesel (fuel) in particular. Almost all products and activities based on fuel prices are astounding," Nagelkirk commented.

Once farmers are finished planting crops and taking off hay, there are several deadlines approaching for paperwork associated with farming.

The national farm census is due soon and about 30% of local farmers still have the paperwork on their desks, Nagelkirk said.

Farmers also have until July 15 to report their planted acreage to the Farm Service Agency, although reports on small grains like wheat are due by June 30.