Wisconsin farmers had about 3.3 days suitable for fieldwork last week, according to the USDA’s National Ag Statistics Service. Widespread heavy rain limited the time in the fields for many growers.
Soil moisture levels reflect those soggy conditions. Topsoil is mostly in good shape, with 67 percent rated adequate and 21 percent showing surplus moisture. Just 1 percent is very short. Subsoil moisture looks similar — 71 percent adequate, 14 percent surplus, and only a small percentage short or very short.
As for the crops, nearly all the corn has now emerged, and the crop is holding steady with 75 percent rated good to excellent — just a point below where we were last week. Ten percent of soybeans are starting to bloom, which is right on par with last year and the five-year average. Conditions for beans haven’t changed much, staying at 73 percent good to excellent.
Winter wheat is progressing, too, with 41 percent starting to color, though that’s running about 4-5 days behind last year and the average. Wheat condition is rated 72 percent good to excellent — a small drop from the previous week.
Sixty-three percent of oats have headed, which is slightly behind normal for this time of year. About 10 percent of oats are starting to color, and overall condition is looking solid at 85 percent good to excellent.
Potatoes are also doing well, with 86 percent in good to excellent condition, despite a slight dip from last week.
On the hay side, first cutting of alfalfa is nearly wrapped up at 94 percent, and the second cutting is 21 percent complete — a day ahead of last year but still a couple of days behind the average. Hay condition jumped up to 82 percent good to excellent, and pastures are holding steady at 74 percent in good to excellent shape.
