News

Scattered rains helped crops but slowed Wisconsin’s farmers

The scattered rains were welcome in Wisconsin last week, but they hampered fieldwork.  USDA reporters say there were almost five days suitable for fieldwork, and topsoil moisture levels are rated as 12% surplus, 72% adequate, and 14% short.

Eighty-two percent of Wisconsin’s corn is now in the dough stage, with 43% in the dent stage.  Sixty-five percent of Wisconsin’s corn is rated good to excellent, with some scattered reports of corn silage harvesting underway.

Ninety-five percent of the state’s soybeans are setting pods, and 18% of the beans are coloring.  The soybean condition fell two points last week, with 61% now rated good to excellent.

Ninety-two percent of the oats have been harvested, which is a head of average.

The potato harvest continues with 34% of the crop out of the fields.  Ninety percent of Wisconsin’s potatoes are rated good to excellent.

The third alfalfa cutting is 93% finished and the fourth cutting is 30% complete.  USDA says hay quality improved three points last week with the all-hay condition at 78% good to excellent.