By Emma George-Griffin
Mid-Michigan’s soil is improving after months of abnormally dry conditions.
Rapid dryness started in August of 2025, according to Brad Rippey, a meteorologist with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
“Fortunately for row crop producers like those who produce things like corn and soybeans, there wasn't a huge impact on their crops just because the drought onset was so late in the growing season," Rippey said.
Mid-Michigan soybean farmer, Dennis Kellogg, said his crops got enough rain before the drought hit.
“We had the best soybeans we ever grew this year,” Kellogg said. “Timing is everything in agriculture if you just happen to hit that right window.”
Rippey said Michigan soybean yields were only down 1% compared to 2024, and corn yields went down by 1.7%.
With rain forecasted for the next couple of weeks, Rippey said there will be enough moisture to get back to normal conditions for most of Michigan.
“There still are some pockets of dryness and drought across lower Michigan,” Rippey said. “Especially one area kind of extending from central lower Michigan on through the thumb.”
Rippey said any lingering impacts of the drought will mainly affect groundwater and subsoil moisture reserves.
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