News

Most Wisconsin crops remain dry

Scattered rains brought little relief to Wisconsin crops last week.  USDA statistician Greg Bussler says there were reports of severe weather damaging crops in northwestern Wisconsin with some fields being a total loss.  One of those storms centered in Barron County included large hail.

Forty-three percent of Wisconsin’s topsoil remains short of moisture, with just 38% adequate and 23% very short.  There are no reports of excess moisture in Wisconsin.  Subsoil moisture levels are similar.

Twenty-five percent of Wisconsin’s corn is silking, about five days behind the five-year average.  Forty-eight percent of the crop is in good to excellent condition.

Fifty-seven percent of the state’s soybeans have bloomed, with 16% setting pods.  The overall condition is down a percent this week with 42% of the crop in good to excellent condition.

Ninety-six percent of the oats have headed, with  79% coloring and 10% now harvested.  Forty-two percent of the oats are in good to excellent condition.

Winter wheat coloring is at 96%, with 24% of the crop now in the bin.

The second crop of alfalfa hay is now 91% finished, about a week ahead of average, with 17% of the third crop now cut.  The all hay condition  improved 2% with 42% of the hay in good to excellent condition.