Wisconsin had 4.2 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending July 21, 2019, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Very hot and humid conditions boosted crop growth this week, while frequent thunderstorms interrupted fieldwork and hay baling. Severe straight line winds and a few tornadoes damaged crops, farm buildings, trees and powerlines in many areas. Some areas of the state received torrential rains, with some flooding, erosion damage and ponding reported. The most damaging weather reportedly occured on Thursday and Friday nights. Cooler, more stable air had moved into the state by Sunday but reporters noted that many fields were once again too wet to support machinery. Some reporters were concerned that lodged small grains may not stand back up before harvest time, while others noted that flattened crops were recovering already.
Topsoil moisture condition was rated 0 percent very short, 2 percent short, 71 percent adequate and 27 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition was rated 0 percent very short, 1 percent short, 72 percent adequate and 27 percent surplus.
Corn silking was reported at 10 percent complete, 12 days behind last year and 8 days behind the 5-year average. Corn condition was 60 percent good to excellent, unchanged from last week.
Ninety six percent of soybeans had emerged. Soybeans blooming was reported at 29 percent, 13 days behind last year and 11 days behind the average. One percent of soybeans were setting pods. Soybean condition was 62 percent good to excellent, down 2 percentage points from last week.
Winter wheat was 97 percent headed. Eighty two percent of winter wheat acres were coloring, 10 days behind both last year and the average. Winter wheat harvest has begun with 1 percent harvested for grain. Winter wheat condition was 59 percent good to excellent, up 3 percentage points from last week.
Eighty eight percent of oats had headed, 9 days behind last year and 11 days behind the average. Forty percent of oats had colored, 10 days behind the average. Oat condition was 70 percent good to excellent, unchanged from last week.
Potato condition was 74 percent good to excellent, down 9 percentage points from last week.
The second cutting of alfalfa hay was reported as 62 percent complete, 11 days later than last year and 9 days later than the average. All hay condition was reported 49 percent in good to excellent condition, 2 percentage points above last week.
Pasture condition was rated 62 percent in good to excellent condition, up 1 percentage point from last week.
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