October Showers Better Late Than Never
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 10/16/2012
After going weeks with very limited precipitation, soil moisture conditions will see some big improvements after the weekend showers dumped up to five inches of rain in various parts of Wisconsin. According to the latest crop/weather summary by the state's agriculture department, moisture levels were at 79
percent short to very short statewide as of Sunday, compared to 90 percent a week earlier. Reporters say more precipitation is needed to get levels back to normal.
The fall weather has also been bringing cooler temperatures. The agency says the average highs ranged from 53 to 58 degrees, while average low temperatures ranged from 31 to 38 degrees.
In the corn fields, about 98 percent of the crop is now considered mature and 54 percent has already been harvested for grain. Corn yield reports varied widely. Several reporters commented that more corn stalks are being harvested than usual due to feed shortages.
Soybeans were 88 percent complete, with moisture percentages reportedly very low and yields highly variable.
Fifth cutting hay was 66 percent harvested as of the weekend. Fall tillage was 29 percent complete.
And the cranberry harvest was reportedly wrapping up in Oneida County and progressing slowly with lower than expected yields in Portage County.
