Wisconsin Ag Connection - Crops Looking Good Despite Cool Summer

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Crops Looking Good Despite Cool Summer
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 07/22/2014

Last week's cool and dry weather conditions helped farmers get more of their second crop hay off the ground, but the lack of heat is leaving some concerned about crop maturity. Monday's weekly crop summary from the Wisconsin Ag Statistics Service mentioned that temperatures were below average all week--with daytime highs topping out in the 70s and overnight temperatures falling into the 40s. Fortunately, topsoil moistures fell from 25 percent surplus the week earlier to about 16 percent as of this past weekend.

In the fields, second crop hay progressed rapidly with yield and quality looking good. But difficult field conditions meant that some producers were just finishing the last of their first cutting while others were beginning the third.

About 22 percent of corn was silking statewide. Corn condition was rated 76 percent good to excellent. Soybeans were 46 percent blooming and 10 percent setting pods.

Oats were 95 percent heading, 53 percent turning color, and seven percent already harvested for grain. Condition was rated 81 percent good to excellent statewide.

Ninety-one percent of winter wheat was turning color, with four percent harvested for grain. Seventy-three percent of the crop was in good to excellent condition.

And about 93 percent of the potatoes were rated in good to excellent condition.

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