Wisconsin Ag Connection - Parts of Wisconsin Now in Drought Status

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Parts of Wisconsin Now in Drought Status
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 08/21/2018

Though parts of Wisconsin did get some much needed rain last week, the showers continued to be spotty in what is turning out to be a very dry summer in the farm fields. Monday's weekly crop report from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture indicated that hot and humid weather persisted early in the week before giving way to another wave of storms prior to the weekend. Precipitation was heaviest in the south-central portions of the state, while northern Wisconsin received light to no rain.

Topsoil moisture levels were rated seven percent very short, 25 percent short, 66 percent adequate and two percent surplus. Several reporters said dry conditions had crops maturing rapidly, with some fields not likely to fully mature.

As of Sunday, 62 percent of the corn had reached the dough stage, which is five days ahead of both last year and the average. Another 18 percent of the crop was dented.

All but four percent of the soybeans have bloomed--also ahead of normal. Eighty-nine percent of the beans were setting pods and four percent showed color on their leaves.

About two-thirds of the oats have been harvested for grain. And 96 percent of the winter wheat has been taken off the fields.

In the hay fields, 79 percent of the third crop has been baled or chopped. That's one day behind last year, but five days ahead of the five-year average. The fourth cutting was 13 percent complete and looking mostly good to excellent.

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