News

Harvest rolling along in Wisconsin

Another hot and dry week accelerated harvests in Wisconsin. USDA statistician Greg Bussler says the weather allowed for rapid progress harvesting soybeans and potatoes, and some corn for grain. Wisconsin farmers were also very busy harvesting corn silage, spreading manure, fall tillage, and seeding fall crops.

Ninety-one percent of Wisconsin’s corn is in the dent stage with 55% mature, which is very close to average. Five percent of the corn for grain has been harvested, and 67% of the silage corn is in the bunk. Sixty-four percent of the corn is rated good to excellent.

Ninety-four percent of the soybeans are coloring, with 81% dropping leaves. The soybean harvest is 30% finished, and nine days ahead of average. The soybean condition rating was up one point to 64% good to excellent.

Seventy-five percent of the Wisconsin potato crop is now complete.

Winter wheat planting is 47% finished.

The fourth cutting of alfalfa hay is 88% done.

Fall tillage in Wisconsin is already 13% finished.

Despite dry weather for much of September, topsoil moisture remains 56% adequate and 37% short, with no areas reporting surplus moisture.