Suitable days for fieldwork may be overstaying their welcome. According to the latest USDA crop progress and condition report for Wisconsin, continued overall dry conditions have farmers concerned about soil moisture.
Topsoil moisture condition rated 29 percent very short, 46 percent short and 25 percent adequate. Subsoil moisture condition rated 17 percent very short, 44 percent short and 39 percent adequate.
Meanwhile, progress on the first hay cutting is proceeding nicely. The first cutting of alfalfa was reported at 85 percent complete, nine days ahead of last year and eight days ahead of the 5-year average. But all hay condition was reported 65 percent good to excellent statewide, down 12 percent from last week. And pasture condition was rated 58 good to excellent statewide, down 11 percent from last week.
Eighty-nine percent of the corn crop has emerged, five days ahead of last year and six days ahead of the average. Corn condition was 66 percent good to excellent, down 6 percent from last week.
Soybean planting was 98 percent done. Eighty-three percent of the soybean crop has emerged, five days ahead of last year and a week ahead of the average. Soybean condition was 62 percent good to excellent, down 7 percent from last week.
Ninety percent of the oat crop has emerged. The oat crop was 14 percent headed, a week ahead of last year but a day behind the average. Oat condition was 71 percent good to excellent, down 10 percent from last week.
Winter wheat was 68 percent headed, six days ahead of last year and of the average. Winter wheat condition was rated 66 percent good to excellent statewide, down 9 percent from last week.
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