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Wisconsin farmers focused on hay, small grain harvesting last week

Wisconsin enjoyed a week of mostly sunny conditions that led to ideal haying and combining weather.  USDA reporters say rain is needed in parts of western Wisconsin, but few scattered showers and a couple of local soaking rains helped crops elsewhere.

Eighty-one percent of Wisconsin’s corn is in good to excellent condition, unchanged from last week.  Corn is four days ahead of average with 93% silking and 38% in dough stage.

Eighty-three percent of the state’s soybeans are in good to excellent condition, with 94% blooming, and 73% setting pods.

About 56% of the state’s oats are harvested.  Ten percent of the potatoes are harvested, and 83% of Wisconsin’s winter wheat for grain is in the bin.

USDA officials say Wisconsin farmers have 97% of their second crop alfalfa hay put up, and 55% of third crop hay finished.