Except for a band of heavy rain extending from around Tomah across the state to around Manitowoc, rainfall was somewhat spotty this past week, and soil moisture remains below desirable levels for much of the state, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.
Corn is reported 34 percent silking, three days ahead of the 5-year average. One percent has reached dough stage. Corn condition is rated 76 percent good to excellent, 1 percentage point below last week.
Soybeans are reported 69 percent blooming, more than a week ahead of the average. Twenty-eight are setting pods, five days ahead of the average. Condition is rated 72 percent good to excellent, 1 percentage point below last week.
Oats are reported 96 percent headed. Sixty-eight percent of oats are coloring, five days ahead of average. Oats are 6 percent harvested, three days ahead of the average. Oat condition is rated 72 percent good to excellent, the same as last week.
Potato harvest is reported 3 percent complete. Potato condition is rated 95 percent good to excellent, 1 percentage point below last week.
Winter wheat is reported 96 percent coloring. Twenty-five percent of winter wheat for grain is harvested, six days ahead of the 5-year average. Winter wheat condition was rated 79 percent good to excellent statewide, 3 percentage points above last week. It’s the only crop that saw a rising condition this past week.
The second cutting of alfalfa hay is 87 percent complete, nine days ahead of both last year and the average. Twelve percent of the third cutting is complete. All hay condition was rated 71 percent good to excellent, 1 percentage point below last week. Pasture condition was rated 62 percent good to excellent, 3 percentage points below last week.
