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. 36

Large Snow Storm Brings Harvest to a Standstill

This is the last weekly Wisconsin Crop Progress for the season. The review of the 2009 growing season will be released in late December. The Wisconsin Field Office of the National Agriculture Statistics Service wishes to thank the many farmers, county agents, and others that provided the information which has allowed you to have an accurate picture of Wisconsin agriculture each week. Thank you and Happy Holidays!

The first large snow storm of the season came this past week bringing most of the leftover harvest to a standstill. Farmers worked long hours trying to squeeze as much crop harvest and field work in as they could before the storm arrived, but some were slowed by long lines at the drying facilities. Growers reported anywhere from 8 to 18 inches of snowfall across the state. Many farmers who still had corn standing when the storm arrived will wait until the weather warms and the snow pack recedes before harvesting any more corn.

Across the reporting stations, precipitation ranged from 0.21 inches in Eau Claire to 1.47 inches in Madison. Average temperatures were 5 to 9 degrees below normal. Average high temperatures ranged from 21 to 31 degrees, while average low temperatures ranged from 3 to 16 degrees. On average, there were 2.4 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/

Corn harvested for grain was reported at 85 percent complete, an increase of 8 percentage points from the previous week. Some growers have attempted to harvest corn after the snowstorm settled, but most are waiting until some snow melts as snow on the stalks can plug the sieves. Corn mold is still a concern for farmers.

Fall tillage was reported at 74 percent complete, an increase of 8 percentage points from the previous week.

Quotes from Farm Reporters and County Ag Agents

POLK-R.S.: Corn harvest has slowed, but much progress was made before the snows hit. Eastern Polk County tended to have higher corn moisture content and mold in the field.

WASHBURN-K.S.: Winter has arrived, and farmers are “officially” caught up with fieldwork until spring. Prior to this past week’s snow and cold, farmers were able to squeeze in last minute crop harvest and whatever fieldwork they could. Most all the corn that was intended to be harvested was. A few farmers chose to leave some corn standing, but most all the corn crop is off the fields and in storage. Concerns about moldy corn are still on livestock producers minds.

CLARK-R.H.: Corn harvest was good until the winter storm covered the area. The good news is the snow was not the heavy wet type that could cause additional weight on the plants and cause increased stalk breakage and field loss. The outside rows may have deep drifted snow. I know some combines were rolling again yesterday and some producers have finished harvest, while others are still harvesting. Some may wait for the corn to dry-down more and harvest later.

LA CROSSE-I.H.: Sunday and Monday were very busy days for farmers who had crops left to harvest. Many of them were hampered from getting the corn unloaded at the co-op by the long lines as farmers tried to get as much as possible in before the storm hit. The 17.0 inches of snow Tuesday put a stop to harvesting for the time being until the weather warms and the snow drifts melt. Even so the moisture content of the corn already harvested was higher than other years due to the wet fall. Now with the snow on the ground, tractors and combines are quiet and a good portion of the corn crop remains in the field. As one drives the county, deer and turkey trails lead to and from the corn that is left un-harvested. The corn will provide them with food for the winter. It has been a confusing year for farmers with both wet and dry spells and now the deep snowfall causing a halt to the harvest.

BUFFALO-R.S.: The Wednesday blizzard stopped corn harvest with a lot of drifting snow. It is questionable if any further harvest can happen. Corn moisture was between 19-25 percent. Corn dryers are busy catching up doing corn that was piled outside.

PIERCE-J.K.: Those who had corn left to harvest worked late Monday night to get as much done as they could. Storage is very short, so some had no place to take it. Some have tried to harvest corn after the storm, but snow on the stalks was plugging the sieves.

MARQUETTE-K.V.: With 14.0 inches of snow on the ground, harvest of corn is delayed. The remaining 10 percent of the crop is yet to be harvested. Some fields still have moisture levels of 25-35 percent and with the long lines at corn drying facilities harvest time is delayed.

WAUSHARA-K.W.: With the 16.0 inches of snow, ground underneath is now thawing out, will limit any near term fieldwork.

CALUMET-B.L.: The 14.0-16.0 inches of snow has stopped harvest, manure applications and tillage for now. Ground is not frozen below all the wet snow but the below zero temperatures are freezing tight exposed areas. A very late and long harvest season has come to a quick and abrupt end for now. With our many acres of corn silage and HMC, we were fortunate to not have as many acres standing late as areas where more corn grain is dried.

GRANT-E.B.: Fieldwork is likely over for 2009. It was a very interesting year from start to finish. Hopefully, most of us will be back next year but for some farmers this was their last year. It is tough, but it is reality.

DANE-D.F.: Heavy snow ended the 2009 crop season with about 5 percent of the Dane County corn crop still un-harvested. Unless a winter thaw causes snow pack to recede, this corn will remain in the field until spring.

GREEN-M.M.: The county received 14.0-18.0 inches of snow followed by sub-zero temperatures that put a stop to any further corn harvest at mid week. About 10 percent of our corn crop has not been harvested. The snow also shut down fall tillage and harvest of corn stalks which is only about 80 percent complete.

KENOSHA-J.H.: Corn harvest has come to a stop.

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