News

Wisconsin crops got some rain, but need more

Wisconsin farmers say the long stretch without significant rainfall is beginning to stress their crops. 

USDA reporters say they are hoping for more rain in the coming week since only 72% of the cropland has adequate moisture while 21% is short and 5% is very short on moisture. Some scattered showers moved through the state Monday after the reporting period.

Wisconsin’s corn condition dropped two points with 76% reported as good or excellent in the week ending Sunday.

Thirteen percent of the state’s soybeans are blooming with 76% of the crop reported as good to excellent.

Sixty-three percent of the oats have headed and 17% of them are coloring.  The crop condition was the same as last week with 83% in good to excellent shape.

The potato crop is also unchanged with 91% in good to excellent condition.

The alfalfa second cutting is now 43% finished, but parts of southeastern and central Wisconsin have as much as 64% of the second crop alfalfa harvested.  The dry weather has Wisconsin’s all hay condition down three points with 79% reported in good to excellent condition.