Wisconsin Ag Statistics Service Issues Final Crop Report

Monday, December 13th, 2021 -- 8:15 AM

(Wisconsin Ag Connection) Each December, the Wisconsin Ag Statistics Service issues a final crop report highlighting the trends of the past growing season.

According to the Wisconsin Ag Connection, the agency noted that 2021 was an adequate year with no unusual freeze damage reported for either winter wheat or alfalfa forage, followed by above normal temperatures to get spring crops planted in a timely fashion.

Spring tillage reached 48 percent complete on April 25, almost two weeks ahead of average. By April 25, both west central and southeast Wisconsin showed over one-third of the topsoil moisture as short to very short.

After the early warmth, crop progress stayed ahead of average for the rest of the growing season. Statewide crop conditions were mostly lower than the previous year due to poor conditions in areas affected by drought.

Generally warm and dry weather gave good access to fields and also helped dry crops down for harvest. By August 15 winter wheat harvest was 96 percent complete, almost a week ahead of the 5-year average.

Oat harvest was a week ahead of normal with 97 percent complete by September 12. Soybean harvest was virtually complete by mid-November and corn harvest was coming to an end as November came to a close.

Conditions were also favorable for postharvest activities such as tillage and manure application. The average temperature for June through September was 67.3 degrees, compared to 66.1 degrees in 2020 and a normal of 65.3 degrees.

April and June-September all had above normal temperatures while May had below normal temperatures. March was 6.3 degrees above normal. October was 6.6 degrees above normal and November was 0.5 degrees above normal.

The statewide precipitation total for April through September was 21.17 inches, compared to 23.28 inches the previous year and a normal of 23.36 inches. April, May, June and September had below normal precipitation while July and August had above normal precipitation.

August precipitation was 1.56 inches above normal while September precipitation was 1.51 inches below normal.

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