There were a few showers early last week, but mostly sunny skies and above average temperatures helped spur growth of small grains and cover crops.
Grain originator Nick Thone out of the Ixonia, Jefferson and Waupun region told Mid-West Farm Report he’s noticed overall corn moisture dropping as a result of the warm and sunny weather.
“Not only has this allowed producers to save on drying costs, but it is also enabling them to make consistent progress on their remaining corn acres,” he says.
The nearly six suitable days for fieldwork also resulted in manure handling and fall tillage headway. Fall tillage was 50 percent complete, a day behind last year but 11 days ahead of the average, according to the latest crop progress and condition report from USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.
Topsoil moisture condition rated 77 percent adequate to surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 78 percent adequate to surplus. Pasture condition was rated 54 percent good to excellent, down 2 percentage points from last week.
Corn condition was 80 percent good to excellent statewide, up 3 percentage points from last week. Harvest of corn for grain was 37 percent complete, 11 days behind last year and two days behind the five-year average. Moisture content of corn harvested for grain was 22 percent. Corn for silage harvest was 97 percent finished.
Soybean harvest was 86 percent complete, two days ahead of last year and nine days ahead of the average.
Winter wheat planted was at 96 percent. Winter wheat emerged was at 79 percent, three days behind last year but eight days ahead of the average. Winter wheat condition was rated 83 percent good to excellent statewide, up 3 percentage points from last week.
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