Wisconsin had 4.5 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending July 14, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.
Drier weather for most of the state resulted in the second highest days suitable for the growing season thus far, allowing fieldwork to progress at a faster pace. Fieldwork included harvesting hay and forage, applying fertilizer and the start of small grain harvest.
Topsoil moisture condition rated 1% short, 60% adequate and 39% surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 61% adequate and 39% surplus.
Corn silking was 17% complete, six days ahead of last year and three days ahead of the five-year average. Corn condition was rated 58% good to excellent, down four percentage points from last week.
Thirty-four percent of the soybean crop has bloomed, one day ahead of last year but three days behind average. Five percent of the soybean crop was setting pods. Soybean condition was 56% good to excellent, down four percentage points from last week.
The oat crop was 92% headed, and 53% of the crop was coloring. Oat condition was rated at 78% good to excellent statewide, unchanged from last week.
Winter wheat coloring was at 97%. Seven percent of the winter wheat crop has been harvested, one day ahead of average. Winter wheat condition was rated 81% good to excellent, unchanged from last week.
The second cutting of alfalfa hay was 65% complete, six days behind last year and one day behind average. All hay condition improved to 71% good to excellent, up three percentage points from last week.
Reports of potato harvest beginning were received. Potato condition decreased to 87% good to excellent, down three percentage points from last week. Pasture and range condition increased to 71% good to excellent, up two percentage points from last week.
