By Blake Jackson
For the week ending August 24, 2025, Wisconsin farmers had 5.6 days suitable for fieldwork, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. The winter wheat harvest was nearly finished, with some acres already planted for the 2025-2026 season.
Soil moisture levels remained favorable. Topsoil conditions were reported as 1 percent very short, 8 percent short, 82 percent adequate, and 9 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 1 percent very short, 9 percent short, 82 percent adequate, and 8 percent surplus.
Corn development continued to progress, with 97 percent of fields silking. About 67 percent had reached the dough stage, trailing last year by three days and the five-year average by four days. Corn denting was reported at 22 percent, while 2 percent of silage had been harvested. Overall, corn condition improved slightly, with 83 percent rated good to excellent.
Soybeans were 96 percent in bloom and 86 percent setting pods, three days behind both last year and the five-year average. Crop condition remained steady, with 83 percent rated good to excellent.
Harvest activities for small grains and potatoes also advanced. Winter wheat was 98 percent harvested, oats 80 percent, and potatoes 28 percent, with potato condition at 87 percent good to excellent.
Hay and pasture conditions remained strong. The third cutting of alfalfa was 89 percent complete, and the fourth cutting reached 31 percent well ahead of both last year and the average. Hay condition was rated 81 percent good to excellent, while pasture and range stood at 71 percent.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: Wisconsin, Crops, Corn, Soybeans, Alfalfa