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Wisconsin crops look good but could use some rain

Another week of almost ideal weather conditions in Wisconsin last week. The National Ag Statistics Service weekly Crop Progress Report has 6.4 days suitable for fieldwork. While the warm, dry weather has most crops ahead of the five year average, soil moisture is getting to be a concern. A week ago 72 percent of the topsoil moisture was rated adequate, that is down to 57 percent adequate this week while 36 percent of the topsoil moisture is now rated short to very short. Heavy storms with hail rolled through Eastern Wisconsin Sunday evening but so far reports of crop damage are minimal.

As of Sunday, 82 percent of the corn is silking, a 23-point improvement over a week ago and 6 points ahead of the five year average. 7 percent of the corn is beyond dough stage. The crop is rated 80 percent good to excellent. Soybeans in the Badger State are 81 percent good to excellent condition with 81 percent blooming and 49 percent setting pods compared to 77 percent blooming and 38 percent setting pods for the five year average.

The oats crop is 93 percent turning color and 31 percent harvested. 62 percent of the Wisconsin winter wheat crop is combined up 40 points from a week ago. Second crop alfalfa is 95 percent harvested and 40 percent of the third crop is in.  Pasture conditions slipped 10 points from a week ago now rated 69 percent good to excellent condition.

Read the full NASS report here: