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Scattered rains helped Wisconsin’s crops

Scattered rains last week helped Wisconsin’s crops a little, but many areas remain drought-stressed and need more rain.

USDA statistician Greg Bussler says the state’s topsoil moisture ratings are 14% very short, 43% short, and only 43% adequate moisture with no surplus moisture anywhere.   Subsoil moistures are also deficient, with 25% very short, 42% short, and 33% adequate.

A central Wisconsin farmer told Brownfield he used an excavator to dig down 12 feet, and the soil was powder dry all the way down.

Eight percent of Wisconsin’s corn is now silking, four days behind average.  The rains improved the crop condition three points with 48% of the crop now good to excellent.

Thirty-eight percent of the soybeans have bloomed with 7% setting pods.  Forty-three percent of the soybeans are rated good to excellent, 1% better than a week ago.

Ninety-two percent of the state’s oats have headed and coloring is at 68%.  Overall condition is down with just 42% rated good to excellent.

Winter wheat coloring is at 91% with 9% of the crop now harvested.  The crop condition dropped seven points as only 51% is now rated good to excellent.

The second cutting of alfalfa hay is 84% finished, eight days ahead of average.  Some farmers are working on third crop now with 6% of that harvested.  The all hay condition is 40% good to excellent.