The number one topic of conversation last week around many farm circles was still “so how much rain did you get”. But, along with the rain came heat – and that apparently did help some of our Wisconsin crops, according to the Wisconsin Ag Statistical Service.
Frequent rains struck Wisconsin for a sixth week in a row. The heaviest rains fell across the southwest portion of the state, with variable precipitation elsewhere. Many reporters noted crop damage from flooding and oversaturated soils. There were also some reports of crops, barns and trees blown down in multiple rounds of thunderstorms. Corn and soybeans conditions varied widely across the state. Producers were gearing up for winter wheat, oats and potato harvest. Making hay remained a struggle in much of the state.
Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 0 percent very short, 3 percent short, 70 percent adequate and 27 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 0 percent very short, 1 percent short, 74 percent adequate and 25 percent surplus.
Just over one-third of Wisconsin’s corn has reached the silking stage, 5 days behind last year. Corn condition was 70 percent good to excellent, 4 percentage points above last week.
Fifty-nine percent of the state’s soybeans were blooming, with almost one-quarter setting pods. Soybean condition rated 72 percent good to excellent.
Nearly all the oat crop has headed, with 68 percent turning color or beyond, one week behind last year. Harvesting of oats for grain was reported at 6 percent complete, 8 days behind last year, and 12 days behind the average. Oats condition was 78 percent good to excellent.
Potato harvest was almost a week ahead of last yeat at 7 percent complete, Potato condition was rated 79 good to excellent.
Pasture condition was 78 percent good to excellent, 1 percentage point below last week.
Winter wheat coloring was reported at 98 percent, 6 days behind last year. Winter wheat harvest was reported 11 percent complete, 6 days behind last year. Winter wheat rated 75 percent good to excellent condition.
The second cutting of alfalfa reached 84 percent complete, 6 days behind last year but 1 day ahead of the average. The third cutting was reported at 13 percent complete, one week behind last year. All hay condition was reported 78 percent good to excellent.
