Another week of dry weather coupled with above average temperatures contributed to further eroding of crop conditions.
Wisconsin farmers had nearly seven full days suitable for fieldwork the week ending Sep. 3. The latest report from USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service says growers started the corn silage harvest, wrapped up the oat harvest and continued cutting hay.
Farmers harvested 91 percent of the oat crop, a day ahead of last year and five days ahead of the 5-year average.
The third cutting of alfalfa was 96 percent complete. The fourth cutting of alfalfa was 55 percent complete, two days ahead of last year and eight days ahead of the average. All hay condition was 45 percent good to excellent statewide, down 2 percent from last week.
Topsoil moisture condition rated 18 percent very short, 40 percent short, and 42 percent adequate. Subsoil moisture condition rated 23 percent very short, 39 percent short, and 38 percent adequate.
Corn in the dough stage reached 86 percent, a day ahead of last year and three days ahead of the average. The corn crop is 41 percent dented. Corn condition rated 54 percent good to excellent, down 5 percent from last week.
Ninety-five percent of the soybean crop has set pods. Soybeans coloring was at 18 percent, two days ahead of last year but two days behind average. Soybean condition was 55 percent good to excellent, down 4 percent from last week.
Wisconsin growers have planted 6 percent of the winter wheat crop. This is six days ahead of last year but two days behind the average.
Thirty-five percent of the potato crop has been harvested, a week ahead of both last year and the average.
Pasture condition was rated 28 good to excellent statewide, down 6 percent from last week.
Leave a Reply