News
Soil moisture levels are a growing concern in Wisconsin
Wisconsin farmers were able to do field work every day last week, but there are growing concerns about soil moisture levels. Topsoil moisture is 36% short and 23% very short, with only 40% of topsoil reported as adequate. Subsoil moisture is 35% short and 16% very short. The southeastern part of the state has the driest conditions with 69% of topsoil being very short of moisture. USDA reporters say only north-central Wisconsin received significant rain in the week ending Sunday.
Corn is rated 71% good to excellent, down five percent from last week. Soybeans are 65% good to excellent, which was down seven percentage points.
Seventy four percent of oats are in good to excellent condition with southern Wisconsin oats beginning to color.
Potatoes are 85% good to excellent, with many fields already flowering.
Eighty-four percent of winter wheat is heading, with 13% coloring and an overall good to excellent rating of 81%.
Hay and pasture conditions fell from last week, with all hay rated 63% good to excellent and pastures down 10 points to 58% good to excellent.
