Last Week's Weather Stalls Farmers
Tuesday, September 17th, 2019 -- 8:40 AM
(Wisconsin Ag Connection) -After several weeks of good progress in the fields, Wisconsin farmers were mostly immobilized last week because of heavy rains and flash flooding.The state's weekly crop report noted that rainfall totals were recorded at 10 inches in some areas over the week. However, the warmers temperatures and humid conditions did help corn and soybeans with development. Some reporters predict that it may take more than a week for the ground to dry up enough to resume fieldwork. Topsoil moisture levels were rated at two percent percent short, 66 percent adequate and 32 percent surplus. As of the weekend, 78 percent of corn had reached the dough stage, 19 days behind last year and 17 days slower than the five-year average. Only 44 percent of the crop was dented and two percent is considered mature. Eight percent of the corn for silage has been chopped, which is more than a week behind schedule.
Eighty-eight percent of the soybeans were setting pods, which is an unprecedented four weeks behind the average for mid-September. Leaves were coloring on a third of the beans and six percent were dropping leaves. The oat harvest is also behind schedule at just 82 percent complete. Winter wheat planting was 10 percent wrapped up, with three percent has now emerged. The third cutting of alfalfa hay was 90 percent done, 12 days behind last year and 13 days off the average. The fourth crop was 38 percent complete. And fall tillage has begun in some areas of southern Wisconsin.
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