Crops Enjoying Hot Weather
Tuesday, September 26th, 2017 -- 8:01 AM
(Wisconsin Ag Connection) -It appears that Jack Frost will have to wait a little longer this year, as the first day of fall became hotter than the entire summer season in 2017.And that was welcomed news in the corn and soybean fields, where growing degree days were lacking in August. The Wisconsin Ag Statistics Service said on Monday's crop/weather report that many crops got the boost they needed when temperatures rose into the upper 80s and 90s. It also provided ideal conditions for farmers who started chopping corn and tilling fields for next year. Topsoil moisture levels are now rated seven percent very short, 22 percent short, 68 percent adequate and three percent surplus.
As of Sunday, 95 percent of the state's corn had reached the dough stage or beyond, which is still slightly behind the norm. Eighty percent reached the dented stage and 23 percent is considered 'mature.' On a statewide average basis, reporters estimated that nearly a third of the corn for silage is now chopped. Leaves were turning color on 81 percent of the soybeans, nine days behind last year and four days slower than the five-year average. Nearly half of the beans have dropped leaves, with some areas of the state now combining.
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