News

Silage harvest picking up in Wisconsin as dry conditions continue

Hay and silage harvesting were the top activities for many Wisconsin farmers last week.  USDA reporters say topsoil moisture levels are only 36% adequate, 40% short, and 24% very short. 

Ninety-two percent of Wisconsin’s corn is in the dough stage or beyond, with 66% dented.  Sixteen percent of the corn crop is mature.  The dry weather has crop conditions deteriorating, as corn condition fell 4 percentage points from last week to 50% good to excellent.  The corn for silage harvest is 18% finished.

Nearly all of the soybeans have set pods and 45% of the beans are coloring.  Nine percent of the soybeans are now dropping leaves.  The overall condition is down 8% this week, with 47% of the crop in good to excellent condition.

Ninety-five percent of the oats and 42% of the potatoes are harvested.

The third cutting of alfalfa is 97% finished, and the fourth cutting is 69% finished.

The corn silage harvest is farthest along in the southwestern part of Wisconsin with 33% of the crop chopped.  Southcentral Wisconsin has 28% of the silage done, West central and southeast areas are 25% finished, and central Wisconsin has 23% of the silage wrapped up.