Note: State and county level data are from the latest (2007) census. The next census will be in 2012.

Wisconsin Crop Weather Report

Vol. 09, No. 32

Good Week for Corn and Soybean Harvests

Another dry week allowed growers to make progress harvesting, especially getting their soybeans off the fields. The dry, warm conditions brought down moisture levels in both crops, easing some concerns over drying costs, although many fields still remained above ideal levels. Conditions were also favorable for getting some tillage done and manure hauled.

According to the State Climatologist website, there was a slight amount of precipitation in the northwest and northeast corners of the state, but the majority of the state saw no precipitation last week. Exact temperature and precipitation data were unavailable for this week’s report. On average, there were 6.7 days suitable for fieldwork. If you are interested in further weather data, please reference the following sites:
www.noaa.gov/, www.aos.wisc.edu/~sco/, www.cocorahs.org/, www.weather.gov/

Wisconsin Crop Conditions
Item	V-Poor	Poor	Fair	Good	Excellent
	Percent
Corn	3	9	29	43	16
Winter Wheat	3	4	32	51	10
Pasture	6	17	50	25	2
Source: USDA, NASS, Wisconsin Field Office.

Corn harvested for grain was reported at 38 percent complete, an increase of 15 percentage points from the previous week. Growers made good progress harvesting corn for grain, but many continued to hold back because of high moisture levels. It was a good week for harvesting stalks for bedding, but some had troubles with high moisture levels yet in the stalks.

Soybean harvest was reported at 88 percent complete, an increase of 34 percentage points from the previous week. Conditions allowed beans to dry down and fields to dry out, and growers were able to make great progress harvesting beans. Some areas were reported to be wrapping up soybean harvest.

Winter wheat planted was reported at 84 percent complete with 63 percent emerged. Winter wheat was reported to be coming up well. There were some growers still planting winter wheat as soybeans came off.

Fall tillage was reported at 38 percent complete, an increase of 9 percentage points from the previous week. Growers reported that they were able to get some tillage done last week, but there is still much more to do.

Growers were able empty manure pits with hauling done as fields were harvested.

Quotes from Farm Reporters and County Ag Agents

BARRON – T.J.: Recent weather has been great for drying corn that is still standing in the field. Farmers reporting corn moisture dropping last week into the mid to upper 20's from over 30 percent the week before. Test weights are light, from the upper 40's to low 50's. Corn mold continues to be a concern. Almost all dairy farmers harvesting corn now as high moisture corn are treating it with some type of preservative.

VILAS – L.K.: Harvesting completed. Fall tillage in progress.

SHAWANO – B.R.: A week of sunny weather has allowed us to get most of the soybeans off with most of the moisture range still in the 13-15%. Yields were between 35-50 bushels per acre. High moisture corn was being harvested by quite of few farmers in the 28-35 % range. Winter wheat is coming up very good. A lot of manure got hauled this past week and fall tillage is progressing, but some fields have very wet spots and harvesting ruts in them.

SHAWANO – J.N.: With the dry weather this past week producers made huge gains on harvesting the crops. Soybeans lead the way with nearly all acres harvested. Moisture levels were around 12.5% so there weren't any drying charges as compared to earlier harvests which were at about 15-16%. Yields were below average, ranging from 32-45 bu./acre. Corn harvest also progressed greatly this week with many acres being taken off. Moisture levels are for the most part around 30%. Corn for dry grain is being harvested because of a concern with mold. Drying charges along with a light test weight (44–50 lbs per bu.) have discounts running in the range of 55-70 cents a bu.

EAU CLAIRE – M.P.: We finally had a good harvest week with the majority of the soybeans now harvested with above average yields. Corn harvest is slower than normal with higher moistures and mold present in many fields.

PIERCE – J.K.: Farmers are picking their spots to harvest beans and corn as some fields will carry equipment and some won't. Where crops have been harvested, manure has been spread as farmers are emptying their pits. Corn moisture remains fairly high from 25–35%. Corn driers are really being tested this year.

GREEN LAKE – R.G.: Combines are rolling in corn fields. A lot of farmers are done with soybean harvest. Mold is a problem with some farms. Winter wheat looks much better than it did. Fields have dried off and a lot of fall tillage is being done.

WAUPACA – L.B.: Fall raspberry crop was cut short with early October freeze, but otherwise a good to excellent crop. Squash crop was excellent and pumpkin crop was fair.

FOND DU LAC-R.P.: What a great week for field work; lots of activity. Need two more weeks to get caught up, but feel good to get at least one great week to harvest.

GRANT-E.B.: Finally a dry week. Moisture is still high, but time is running out so artificial drying is the answer.

DANE-J.K.: Corn and soybeans are coming off very fast now, with excellent weather, many farmers working long hours and all night in some cases. Moisture is coming and there is less or no white mold now, especially on early planted corn and beans. It may be a different story in later planted crops. Most of wheat planted is up now. I don’t think anyone would try to plant now, but it might work. Wheat isn’t growing much due to the very cold nights. Fields are quite wet and soft with trucks and wagons sinking in quite a bit. There will be a lot of compaction! Quite a bit of field work being done for those who are ready and able and after liquid manure. Wet but doesn’t hurt too much now, "I think".

DODGE-G.R.: Rapid progress is finally possible due to favorable weather. Soybeans virtually completed with moistures from 10-14%, yields at 30-40 bushels per acre. High moisture shell corn being made; some shell corn started, but moistures in the 20’s.

GREEN – M.M.: Combines were rolling this week as nice weather let most complete soybean harvest and put a good dent in corn harvest. Corn dried down well this week, but moisture levels are still in the 20-30% range, with later planted fields exhibiting mold problems. Yields are running much above normal, but test weights and quality are below normal.

WASHINGTON – K.R.: Thank God for the last 2 weeks of good weather. We got our soybeans done!

WAUKESHA – C.W.: Great week for harvest; warm temps, no rain and breezy. Lots more work to be done before winter. October was very wet this year and about 8 degrees cooler than last year.

For climate normals and growing season data for a specific Wisconsin county, first go to our Wisconsin County Home Page, then select your county, then click on the Climate Table link in the left margin for that county.

Current Crop Report with Graphics | Usual Planting and Harvesting Dates