Weekly Crop Report Reiterates Extreme Lack of Rain
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 07/03/2012
The record high temperatures are not helping as many Wisconsin producers, especially in the southern parts of the state, haven't seen any measurable rainfall since Memorial Day weekend. This week's crop/weather summary by the state's agriculture department says soil moisture conditions are now 70 percent or
more short to very short in five of the nine reporting districts. The Madison weather station recorded record low rainfall for the month of June at 0.35 inches.
The average temperatures during the past week were three to five degrees above normal at 85 to 90 degrees, while average low temperatures ranged from 58 to 64 degrees.
As of Sunday, the corn crop had an average height of 40 inches statewide. One percent of the crop was silking, which is not common during this stage of the growing season. Corn was growing rapidly with the heat and humidity, but the crop was reportedly uneven in some areas. Dry conditions have reportedly led
to curling and other signs of stress.
Soybeans were three percent blooming, compared to one percent last year and a four percent five-year average. Soybeans are also in desperate need for moisture, and weed control is becoming a larger issue in some areas of the state.
Oats were 96 percent headed, with some producers already starting to harvest their crop. The five-year average start date for oat harvest is July 12.
Second cutting hay was 68 percent complete as of the weekend. And a few producers were harvesting winter wheat with good yields. Some reporters noted that wheat harvest will begin in the next week.
