The sun was a long awaited friend after three weeks filled with rain. According to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, there were 3.3 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending on September 9, 2018. The previous week’s storms continued into the front end of the week which worsened flooding in southern Wisconsin and slowed storm cleanup and damage assessments. By the week’s end, some rivers were still cresting, and damage to rural roads and infrastructure was still being repaired. Sunny weather marked the second half of the week, helping to firm up wet soils. Previously dry pastures were bouncing back, and corn and soybeans were maturing rapidly with abundant soil moisture and cool nights. Farmers rushed to make hay and corn silage as soon as conditions allowed.
In the recent USDA Crop Progress report it found that topsoil moisture supplies were rated 0 percent very short, 2 percent short, 68 percent adequate and 30 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 0 percent very short, 4 percent short, 72 percent adequate and 24 percent surplus.
Then ninety-two percent of Wisconsin corn has reached the dough stage, 7 days ahead of both last year and the 5-year average. Seventy percent of corn was dented, 9 days ahead of last year and 6 days ahead of the average. Twenty-one percent was mature, 8 days ahead of the average. Corn for silage was 12 percent harvested, 1 day ahead of the average. Corn condition was 75 percent good to excellent.
Leaves were turning color on 54 percent of soybeans, 6 days ahead of last year and 4 days ahead of the average. Fourteen percent were reported dropping leaves, 6 days ahead of last year and 3 days ahead of the average. Soybean condition was 77 percent good to excellent.
Oats harvested for grain was reported as 92 percent complete, even with last year but 2 days behind the average.
Potato harvest was reported as 28 percent complete, 12 days behind last year. Potato condition was 73 percent good to excellent. Thirteen percent of winter wheat was planted, 2 days ahead of last year. Two percent of the winter wheat crop has emerged.
The third cutting of alfalfa was 93 percent complete, 7 days behind last year, but even with the average. The fourth cutting was 47 percent complete, 5 days behind last year, but 1 day ahead of the average. All hay condition was reported 76 percent in good to excellent condition.
Pasture condition was rated 66 percent in good to excellent condition, compared with 63 percent in good to excellent condition last week.
The sunny warm weather is expected to extent through this week which will help to continue to dry out the areas most affected by the recent rain and flooding.
