News

Last week’s rains helped Wisconsin’s crops

Timely and widespread rains improved crop conditions and increased soil moisture in Wisconsin last week.  USDA statistician Greg Bussler says along with that rain, a few storms caused crop damage due to wind and hail.

Topsoil moisture levels are now 1% surplus, 55% adequate, 36% short, and 8% very short with similar subsoil readings.

Sixty percent of Wisconsin’s corn is silking and about a day behind the five-year average.  Five percent is in the dough stage.  Fifty-five percent of the corn is now good to excellent, seven points higher than a week ago.

Seventy-four percent of the soybeans are blooming, which is also a day behind the five-year average.  Twenty-four percent of the crop is setting pods.  Overall, 51% of Wisconsin’s soybeans are rated good to excellent, up 9% from a week ago.

Ninety-five percent of the second-crop alfalfa has been harvested, and the third cutting is 37% finished. The all-hay condition improved 3% from last week with 45% now good to excellent.

Forty-nine percent of the winter wheat crop is in the bin, and what remains is rated 63% good to excellent.

Eighty-six percent of the oats have colored, with 19% now harvested.  Forty-four percent is rated good to excellent, up 2% from a week ago.

The potato harvest has begun in some southern Wisconsin areas, and early reports from one grower say the yield is better than average.