Wisconsin had 1.9 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending October 6, 2019, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Heavy rains fell across the state this week, pushing already high soil moisture even higher. Temperatures were above normal on average, and highs rose into the 80s and low 90s on Tuesday before a cold front brought severe thunderstorms and heavy rain overnight. Several other rain events followed, with a small amount of sunshine in between. Reporters noted precipitation totals anywhere from 2 to 7 inches for the week. Farmers were anxious to get corn silage chopped but field conditions were extremely unfavorable. Reporters all over the state noted tractors stuck in the mud and deep ruts left in fields. Late planted corn and soybeans were still struggling to mature and plant moistures were dropping slowly. Dry weather is badly needed to facilitate the harvest.
Topsoil moisture condition was rated 0 percent very short, 0 percent short, 51 percent adequate and 49 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition was rated 0 percent very short, 0 percent short, 52 percent adequate and 48 percent surplus.
Ninety-one percent of corn has reached the dough stage, 4 weeks behind the 5-year average. Seventy-six percent of corn was dented, 24 days behind last year and 20 days behind the average. Thirty percent of corn was reported mature, 23 days behind last year and 17 days behind the average. Harvest has begun in the southern parts of Wisconsin, with 1 percent of acres harvested. Corn condition was 65 percent good to excellent, down 4 percentage points from last week. Corn for silage harvest was 31 percent complete, 22 days behind last year and 18 days behind the average.
Soybeans setting pods was 96 percent complete. Leaves were coloring on 86 percent of the state’s soybeans, 16 days behind last year. Plants were dropping leaves on 60 percent of soybeans, 14 days behind last year and 11 days behind the average. Three percent of soybean acres were harvested. Soybean condition was 71 percent good to excellent, unchanged from last week.
Winter wheat was 27 percent planted, 17 days behind last year and 12 days behind the average. Eighteen percent of winter wheat had emerged, 11 days behind last year, and 5 days behind the average.
Oats were 91 percent harvested.
Potatoes were reported 65 percent harvested, 5 days behind last year and 10 days behind the average.
The third cutting of alfalfa hay was 95 percent complete. The fourth cutting was sixty-two percent complete, 3 weeks behind the average. Fall tillage was reported as 8 percent complete, 8 days behind last year and 9 days behind the average.
Pasture condition was rated 56 percent in good to excellent condition, down 4 percentage points from last week.
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