With over five days suitable for fieldwork during the past week, farmers continued to have nice weather to make hay and combine small grains around the Badger State. The latest crop production report from the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture said recent rains helped improve topsoil moisture levels, which finished the week at four percent very short, 16 percent short, 73 percent adequate and seven percent surplus.
As of Sunday, all but 12 percent of the corn crop was silking statewide--11 days behind last year and three days slower than the five-year average. Forty-four percent of the corn had reached the dough stage and four percent had reached the dent phase. Corn condition was 78 percent good to excellent statewide, up two percentage points from last week.
Soybeans were 93 percent blooming, a full week behind the same time in 2021, but three days ahead of the average. Soybeans setting pods was 72 percent, which was also behind normal. The crop was rated 77 percent good to excellent, up three percentage points for the week.
About 44 percent of the oat were harvested for grain. That was just three days behind last year and four days slower than average. Winter wheat harvested was 86 percent complete.
And the third cutting of alfalfa was reported at 76 percent complete, with four crop being taken off the fields in some areas. All hay condition was reported 78 percent good to excellent condition.
Categories: Wisconsin, Crops, Hay & Forage