News

Wisconsin crops doing okay after a hot, dry week

Wisconsin’s crops endured another hot and dry week.

As of Sunday, USDA reporters say soil moisture is 52% adequate, 36% short, and 12% very short with no areas reporting a surplus. Subsoil levels are drier. Nearly half the state saw no new rain last week, and much of what did fall was in the eastern and northeastern parts of Wisconsin.

Ninety-eight percent of the corn is done silking, with 77% in the dough stage and 21% dented. Wisconsin’s corn condition improved last week, with 59% reported as good to excellent.

Ninety-seven percent of the soybeans are blooming or beyond, with 88% setting pods, which is a couple of days behind average. Fifty-nine percent of the soybeans are rated good to excellent, 3% better than last week.

Seventy-nine percent of the oats, 98% of winter wheat, and 22% of the state’s potatoes have been harvested.

A third cutting of alfalfa hay is 93% finished, with 39% of fourth-cut hay also completed. That’s eight days ahead of average. Forty-seven percent of all hay is in good to excellent condition, down three percent from a week ago.