Weather patterns create sharp divergence in Michigan’s major crop conditions

By Max Kappel
Report for America

YALE — Michigan’s big three crops, corn, soybeans and winter wheat, differ wildly in measured quality compared to past years.

As of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Aug. 25 crop report, which offers summaries of crops at the state level, Michigan’s soybean condition in 2026 is the worst at this point in the season versus each of the past four years.

Forty-nine percent of the state’s soybeans were rated good or excellent, compared to 61% of soybeans in that rating scale across the country. 

Specifically closer to home, precipitation has played a role. 

“What we are seeing is that the inconsistent rains have created a lot of variation in yield potential,” said Jeff Furness, a Fremont farmer. “Just looking at our farms, we are seeing a lot of variation. If you expand the circle, you see even more.”

Corn conditions in 2026, meanwhile, are down near five-year lows experienced in 2023 and 2025.

Fifty-five percent of corn in the state is rated as good or excellent, near the low-fifties experienced in 2023 and 2025. 

Winter wheat has fared the best of the major three crops, with conditions comfortably near other quality years. 

Heat-wise, Michigan as a whole saw normal temperatures between Aug. 16-22. The same can’t be said for central southern states, like Oklahoma, Texas, and Arkansas, that have seen triple-digits in recent weeks that have depleted topsoil moisture there.

— Max Kappel is a Report for America corps member, covering local government and agriculture for The Yale Expositor in Yale, Michigan. Report for America places talented journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues and regions. Reach out to him at max@yaleexpositor.com with tips, or just to say hi.