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Heat and rain help Wisconsin crops

Above normal temperatures and good rains in northern Wisconsin highlight the weekly Crop Progress Report from USDA this week. More than three inches of rain in Eau Claire cut their year-to-date deficit in half although they are still 3.3 inches short. Green Bay is an inch below year-to-date norms and La Crosse is .63 inches short. The soil moisture profile improved substantially in the Northwestern District where 24% was rated very short last week down to 6% this week. The adequate category improved from 27% to 41%. Overall state soil moisture is rated 6% very short, 31% short, 57% adequate and 6% surplus.

The Badger State corn crop is 90% silked, 4 points behind the five-year average. The crop has 18% in the dough stage, that should be 37% by now. The crop is rated 27% fair, 43% good and 18% in excellent condition.

The soybean crop is 23% fair, 52% good and 14% excellent shape. 90% of the beans are blooming, 4 points behind the five-year average for this date. Pod setting is 66% complete, 10 points behind normal.

Winter wheat harvest is 8 points behind normal with 81% combined while the oats harvest is 25% behind normal with 54% harvested. Producers say both crops are running above-average yields.