Most areas in the state of Wisconsin could use a little drink of water according to this weeks Crop Progress Report. The Wisconsin Ag Statistical Service noted reporters from southern Wisconsin got some rain, but north of that nothing in many areas. That’s becoming critical as farmers look at how this crop will finish out.
Ninety-four percent of the state’s corn acreage has reached the silking stage, 6 days ahead of both last year and the 5-year average. Forty-five percent of the corn has reached the dough stage, 5 days ahead of both last year and the average. Four percent of corn was dented. Corn condition was 78 percent good to excellent.
Ninety-three percent of soybeans have bloomed, 2 days ahead of last year and 4 days ahead of the average. Eighty percent were setting pods, 3 days ahead of last year and 5 days ahead of the average. Soybean condition was 76 percent good to excellent.
Oats turning color was reported at 96 percent, 2 days ahead of last year. Oats harvested for grain was reported as 50 percent complete, 4 days ahead of last year but 1 day behind the average. Oat condition was 79 percent good to excellent down 5 percentage points from last week.
Potato harvest was reported as 13 percent complete, 9 days behind last year. Potato condition was 86 percent good to excellent.
Winter wheat harvest was reported as 92 percent complete, 2 days ahead of last year.
The third cutting of alfalfa was 68 percent complete, 1 day ahead of last year and 5 days ahead of the average. The fourth cutting was 6 percent complete, even with last year and 1 day ahead of the average. All hay condition was reported 77 percent in good to excellent condition.
Pasture condition was rated 65 percent in good to excellent condition, compared with 71 percent in good to excellent condition last week.
About Pam Jahnke
Getting up at 2 in the morning might shock some of her listeners, but for Pam Jahnke, it’s part of the business. Born in Northeastern Wisconsin, Pam Jahnke grew up in agriculture. Raised on her family’s 200-acre dairy farm, she learned the “farm work ethic” first hand.
