Wisconsin Ag Connection - DATCP Looks Back at 2017 Crop Year

Wisconsin Ag News Headlines

DATCP Looks Back at 2017 Crop Year
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 12/13/2017

Each December, the Wisconsin Ag Statistics Service issues a final crop report highlighting the trends of the past growing season. This week, the agency noted that 2017 opened with widespread concern for overwintered crops due to unusually warm weather in February, followed by low snow cover and fluctuating temperatures in March. April continued to be too wet for fieldwork in much of the state, but May started out drier until heavy rains returned again mid-month.

By June, reporters were saying that many fields were drowned out or washed away by the frequent rains, forcing farmers to replant. Wet conditions also delayed or prevented weed control and nitrogen applications in some areas. The saturated conditions continued into July, as frequent rains, flooding and severe thunderstorms damaged some crops, and prevented timely haying in many areas. Below normal temperatures in August and early September kept crop development behind average. But, unseasonably warm and dry weather in late September helped to push late-planted crops toward maturity and dried out the soil for fieldwork. October brought even more rain and a return of soggy field conditions with temperatures swinging between summer-like and wintry.

The statewide precipitation total for April through September was 25.94 inches--about 1.08 inches less than the previous year, but 3.51 inches more than normal. Statewide, September and November had below normal precipitation. July precipitation totals ranged from 1.41 inches below normal in the North Central District to 3.76 inches above normal in the Southwest District. August precipitation ranged from 2.67 inches below normal in the Southwest District to 1.84 inches above normal in the Northwest District. April, May, June, and October had above normal precipitation across the state.

CORN: Cold, wet soils delayed the beginning of corn planting in 2017. Only one percent of corn was planted by April 23, about a week behind the five-year average. Wet conditions kept planting and emergence behind average throughout May and into June. The wide variation in planting dates resulted in a persistent variation in crop condition and maturity among corn fields. Corn condition averaged 69 percent good to excellent for late May through mid-November, compared with 86 percent good to excellent in 2016. Pollination and development remained behind average throughout the summer. Dry, hot weather in the latter half of September helped boost the crop toward maturity before the first frost hit. Silage chopping got off to a late start due to lagging corn maturity, and wrapped up in early November, about a week behind average. Rain, fog and damp weather kept grain moistures high in late fall. Reporters noted many farmers were delaying grain harvest in an attempt to minimize drying costs. On November 26, 81 percent of corn for grain was harvested compared with 95 percent in 2016.

SOYBEANS: Like corn, soybean planting also started around a week behind the five-year average, and suffered from weather delays. Warm weather in July kept soybean pollination in line. Cooler temperatures in August slowed progress, but summer-like temperatures in late September gave soybean maturity a chance to catch back up. Soybean condition averaged 74 percent good to excellent for June through mid-October, compared with 85 percent good to excellent for the previous year. The soybean harvest dragged on through variable fall conditions and high grain moistures, reaching 96 percent harvested on November 26.

OATS: Planting lagged slightly behind normal due to a lack of days suitable for fieldwork in April, with variations in planting dates similar to other crops. Wet conditions and cool temperatures slowed oat maturity throughout the summer, particularly as the crop ripened in August. Oat condition averaged 77 percent good to excellent from May through mid-August, compared with 85 percent the previous year. Oats reached 98 percent harvested on September 17.

WINTER WHEAT: The crop started with 54 percent in good to excellent condition, well below the 79 percent the previous year. Wheat condition improved gradually through the summer months but remained below the 2016 average. Condition peaked at 79 percent good to excellent on July 30, with an average of 70 percent good to excellent for April through early August. Wet and cool conditions slowed maturity and harvest operations, with most of the crop being harvested in the last week of July and the first week of August. Winter wheat planting trended ahead of the previous year, as many farmers opted to plant wheat while waiting for corn grain moistures to fall.

POTATOES: Planting lagged behind the previous year's pace until favorable weather conditions in early May allowed fieldwork to catch up. Planting was wrapping up on May 28, with 98 percent planted, one percentage point ahead of the previous year. Potato condition averaged 78 percent good to excellent for the season, compared with 92 percent good to excellent in 2016. Early potato harvest kicked off by mid-July and the harvest reached 97 percent complete on October 29.

ALFALFA: As of May 21, winter freeze damage to alfalfa was rated five percent severe, 10 percent moderate and 26 percent light. There were reportedly no damages to the remaining 59 percent of hay stands, down from 77 percent undamaged the previous year. The first cutting of hay was delayed, but rapidly caught up to and moved ahead of average during early June. Cool temperatures and frequent rains throughout the spring and summer meant abundant hay, but few windows of good weather for baling. Reporters commented producers were making more haylage than usual in an effort to harvest forage at optimal maturity. Dry, warm weather in September offered excellent conditions for making dry hay, allowing the fourth cutting to exceed the average harvest pace.

Other Wisconsin Headlines