Fall harvest in well underway across Wisconsin with warm, dry weather across much of the state. Current harvest percentages and crop maturity is ahead of average this fall.
Wisconsin had 6.1 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending October 3, 2021, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Temperatures were above normal across the state. Precipitation was variable with some areas receiving virtually no precipitation while other areas received an inch or more. Farmers made good progress with harvest and other fieldwork. High moisture corn harvest was mentioned by respondents in several districts.
Topsoil moisture condition rated 11 percent very short, 16 percent short, 69 percent adequate and 4 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 11 percent very short, 13 percent short, 72 percent adequate and 4 percent surplus.
Eighty percent of the corn crop was mature, 1 day ahead of last year and 11 days ahead of the 5-year average. Harvest for grain was 12 percent complete, 5 days ahead of last year and 9 days ahead of normal. Corn silage was 91 percent harvested. Moisture content of field corn harvested for grain was 23 percent. Corn condition was 73 percent good to excellent, 3 percentage points below last week.
Soybeans dropping leaves or beyond reached 94 percent. Soybean harvest was 31 percent complete, 5 days ahead of last year and 9 days ahead of the average. Soybean condition rated 73 percent good to excellent, 2 percentage points below last week.
Potato harvest was 71 percent complete. Winter wheat planting reached 59 percent complete, 5 days behind last year but 8 days ahead of the 5-year average. Twenty-nine percent of winter wheat has emerged, 6 days behind last year but 2 days ahead of normal.
The 4th cutting of alfalfa hay was 92 percent complete. Pasture condition rated 60 percent good to excellent, 4 percentage points below the previous week. Fall tillage was 19 percent complete, 9 days ahead of the 5-year average.
