Corn and Soybean Emergence Ahead of Last Year’s Pace

By Blake Jackson

Wisconsin farmers managed 4.6 days suitable for fieldwork across the state for the week ending June 15, 2025, according to the latest report from the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.

While southern counties continued to experience low moisture levels, many northern regions received substantial rainfall, leading to interruptions in fieldwork.

Topsoil moisture conditions were assessed at 1% very short, 17% short, 67% adequate, and 15% surplus. Subsoil moisture mirrored this, with 3% very short, 16% short, 70% adequate, and 11% surplus.

Corn planting is now nearly complete, with 91% of the crop emerged. This puts emergence 11 days ahead of last year's pace, though it aligns with the five-year average.

The condition of the corn crop was rated 71% good to excellent, a slight dip of 3 percentage points from the previous week. Soybean planting also neared completion, with 85% emerged, which is 3 days ahead of last year but 1 day behind the average. Soybean condition saw a larger decrease, rated 72% good to excellent, down 7 percentage points from last week.

Winter wheat progress shows 83% headed, trailing last year by 5 days but remaining 4 days ahead of the average. Approximately 8% of winter wheat is beginning to show coloring. Its condition held steady at 70% good to excellent.

Oats were 94% emerged, with 24% headed, putting them 3 days behind last year and 2 days behind the average. Oat condition was strong at 86% good to excellent, a 2-point decrease from the prior week. Potatoes maintained an excellent rating, with 91% in good to excellent condition.

The first cutting of alfalfa hay is 79% complete, 2 days ahead of last year's pace but 2 days behind the average. The second cutting has commenced in limited areas.

Overall hay condition was rated 78% good to excellent, down 3 percentage points from last week. Pasture and range conditions also saw a decline, rated 74% good to excellent, a drop of 4 percentage points from the previous week.

Photo Credit: istock-fotokostic