News
Wisconsin’s harvest moves along
Above normal temperatures and favorable field conditions allowed Wisconsin farmers to continue harvesting last week.
USDA reporters say about four-and-a-half days were suitable for fieldwork, and many areas were 10 degrees warmer than usual for mid-October.
Ninety-one percent of the state’s corn is mature and 24% of the corn-for-grain harvest is finished. More than 95% of the corn silage is harvested. Moisture content for the grain was averaging 21%, and 73% of the crop was in good to excellent condition.
More than 97% of Wisconsin’s soybeans are dropping leaves or beyond as of Sunday. The harvest is 47% complete, which is about 8 days ahead of average. There are farmers and agronomists reporting problems with green stems slowing down the soybean harvest progress.
The potato harvest is now 82% finished.
Winter wheat planting is 75% done, and 47% of that newly planted wheat has emerged. Fall tillage is 30% done.
The state’s fourth-crop alfalfa hay harvest is 96% finished.
Topsoil moisture is 77% adequate, 4% surplus, and 11% short, with comparable subsoil moisture levels.