Wisconsin fieldwork progresses with 6.5 days suitable

By Blake Jackson

Wisconsin experienced favorable conditions for fieldwork during the week ending August 25, 2024, with 6.5 days suitable for outdoor agricultural activities, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. The dry weather facilitated an increase in fieldwork, allowing farmers to make significant progress in harvesting small grains, potatoes, and hay.

Topsoil moisture was rated at 3% very short, 15% short, 74% adequate, and 8% surplus. Subsoil moisture conditions were slightly better, with 1% very short, 12% short, 77% adequate, and 10% surplus.

Corn crops showed notable development, with 95% of the corn silking and 73% in the dough stage on par with last year and ahead of the five-year average by two days.

Twenty-five percent of the corn crop has reached the dent stage, and corn condition improved slightly, with 65% rated as good to excellent.

The soybean crop also made strides, with 97% of the crop blooming and 90% setting pods, four days ahead of both last year and the average.

Soybeans have just started to turn color, with 63% of the crop rated as good to excellent, up one percentage point from the previous week.

Harvesting oats continued ahead of schedule, with 86% completed six days ahead of last year and seven days ahead of the average.

The third cutting of alfalfa hay was 89% complete, and the fourth cutting reached 20% completion. Potato harvesting was 25% complete, with an impressive 90% of the crop rated as good to excellent. However, pasture and range conditions declined slightly, with 57% rated as good to excellent.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-nes