Wisconsin Farmers Experience Rare Opportunity of Being Interrupted by Tropical Depression
Tuesday, June 16th, 2020 -- 8:45 AM
(Wisconsin Ag Connection) -Though farmers in Wisconsin had the rare opportunity of being interrupted by a tropical depression, they were able to spend a few days last week wrapping up their planting activity and chopping hay.According to the state's weekly crop/weather report, the heavy rain and high winds associated with Cristobal were immediately followed by a second wave of thunderstorms on Wednesday. However, the remainder of the week was cool, sunny and ideal for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture levels were rated five percent short, 81 percent adequate and 14 percent surplus. As of Sunday, corn planting was 98 percent complete, 19 days sooner than last year and four days ahead of the five-year average. All but seven percent of the corn was emerged, which was also ahead of schedule. Soybean planting was 96 percent finished. That was 22 days ahead of the past growing season and nearly a week further along than normal. Eighty-seven percent of the beans are now emerged, with 85 percent looking good to excellent.
About 18 percent of the oat crop has now headed and was rated mostly good to excellent condition. The winter wheat was two-thirds headed, with two percent of the crop turning color. And the first cutting of alfalfa was estimated at 75 percent complete. That's more than a week ahead of last year, but slightly behind normal. Winter freeze damage to the hay was rated two percent severe, five percent moderate and 34 percent light. On the flip side, that means nearly 60 percent of the alfalfa crop had no damage at all.
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