Weather Still Hindering Wisconsin Farmers
Wednesday, October 16th, 2019 -- 9:47 AM
(Wisconsin Ag Connection) -Mild temperatures and clear skies early last week provided a small window of opportunity for fieldwork, but most farmers continued to be idled throughout Wisconsin.The latest crop report from the state's agriculture department notes that soils were still unfavorably wet for equipment to enter the fields. Temperatures also plunged on Friday as a major cold front plowed through the state, bringing widespread rain and some snow flurries. Topsoil moisture levels were rated 59 percent adequate and 41 percent surplus. As of Sunday, 94 percent of corn has reached the dough stage and just 84 percent was dented. Fields scouts put just less than half of the state's corn crop at 'mature,' which is over three weeks behind last year and 16 days off the average. Harvest of corn for grain was just getting started at three percent complete and corn for silage harvest was 48 percent chopped. That's also 24 days behind schedule.
Leaves were coloring on 91 percent of the state's soybeans and 78 percent had dropping leaves. The combines were able to harvest 15 percent of the crop so far, which is nine days behind normal. Soybean condition was 68 percent good to excellent. Winter wheat was 37 percent planted, 14 days behind average. Twenty-three percent of the crop had emerged. And seven percent of the oats remain in the field. The fourth cutting of alfalfa hay was 71 percent complete, 24 days slower than the average for mid-October. And fall tillage was reported at just 12 percent complete.
Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.