Crop Progress and Condition for the Week Ending June 22, 2014.
Day after day of severe thunderstorms halted field work this week. High winds and hail damaged crops in some areas and a series of tornadoes touched down in Grant, Green, and Dane Counties on the night of June 16. However, the most widely reported problem for farmers was repeated heavy downpours falling on already saturated soils.
Soil erosion, ponding, and flooding were reported statewide, stressing or outright drowning some fields. Soil moisture rose sharply, with 39 percent surplus on average compared to 15 percent last week. Several reporters noted acreage in their area that will not be planted this year due to wet conditions, and others noted high weed pressure due to prevented spraying.
Undamaged crops were reportedly responding well to the muggy heat and plentiful moisture. Corn and second crop hay were growing rapidly, though weeks of wet weather have left some producers, particularly in the north of the state, unable to finish cutting their first crop.
There were 1.8 days suitable for fieldwork statewide.
Across the reporting stations, average temperatures last week were normal to 6 degrees above normal. Average high temperatures ranged from 75 to 84 degrees, while average low temperatures ranged from 57 to 65 degrees. Precipitation totals ranged from 2.22 inches in Green Bay to 3.79 inches in Madison.
As of June 22, corn was 94 percent emerged, with 79 percent in good to excellent condition.
Soybeans were 96 percent planted and 90 percent emerged, with 79 percent in good to excellent condition.
Oats were 98 percent emerged, with 33 percent heading. Condition was rated 87 percent good to excellent statewide.
Eighty-one percent of winter wheat was heading, with 71 percent of the crop in good to excellent condition.
Eighty-eight percent of the potato crop was rated good to excellent condition.
The first cutting of alfalfa was 82 percent complete.
All hay was 89 percent in good to excellent condition statewide.
Pasture condition was rated 89 percent good to excellent.
Comments
RUSK-G.P.: Wet weather continues but a little better week this week. First crop is coming off but quality is going down with time. Corn is mostly done, still a little going in for some late silage. Still some soybeans to go in but that should finish up this week if the weather cooperates. Crop progress is slow with some of the first planted corn finally catching and showing some good growth. This has been a tough spring.
WASHBURN-R.H.: Some corn is 3 feet tall. Regrowth of alfalfa is growing good.
CLARK-R.H.: A wet week with little field work. Overall crops look good, just need to have some dry weather to wrap up planting and complete 1st crop hay harvest. Have seen a few corn fields with hop vine borer, so it is important to scout fields as the growing season continues. Just need some dry weather to get work done.
LINCOLN-K.S.: It’s been hard to make hay because it’s overcast, not much sun, and lots of humidity.
MARINETTE-N.S.: Hay harvest has been difficult with scattered rain throughout the week. Producers that completed their first cutting reported very good yields.
SHAWANO-B.R.: Could not get much done this week with rain showers almost every day. Making hay is at a standstill and it is getting mature very fast. Many would like to get corn and bean fields sprayed but it is just too wet to do that. Second crop alfalfa coming back very good for those that got the first crop off on time.
BUFFALO-S.M.: Storms early last week sent needed rain. Most local areas received rain slowly enough to let it soak in. Crop emergence looks very good with excellent hay crops being harvested. All of this is a much welcome change over last year!
ST CROIX-D.K.: 8 inches of rain this week. Some crops in low areas have drowned. Second crop alfalfa is doing well and will really take off with heat and sun.
TREMPEALEAU-L.N.: Extremely wet week throughout the county. Reports of over 7 inches of rain fell within this past week, some of it within a short period. Fields are saturated. No progress on haying or spraying. Some prevent plant being determined. Lots of activity at the FSA office with crop reporting.
PORTAGE-J.W.: Cranberry blossom beginning. Only one day suitable for fieldwork, due to excessive rainfall. Fieldwork stalled.
BROWN-B.S.: Wet conditions have hampered all last minute thoughts of late planting corn and soybeans on unplanted acres. Many farmers are looking at standing first crop hay wondering when we will have dry weather to make baled hay.
FOND DU LAC-B.P.: Second crop hay looks excellent. Water issues with corn and soybeans. Some bean fields have lots of brown spots. Need warm weather and sun. 8 inches of rain in one week is too much.
RICHLAND-J.C.: Heavy rains last week caused more erosion in the county. Corn in the low areas needs to be sprayed and is showing nitrogen stress in some areas. With more rain forecasted this week, it could a while before farmers are back in the fields.
DANE-D.R.: The corn is running between 20 to 30 inches high. Ash trees behind house are dying. Grass is very heavy.
GREEN-M.M.: Many portions of the county received up to 5-7 inches of rain this week creating some flooding in low areas, but the majority of the corn and beans are doing very well. First crop hay yields were excellent and with the rainfall received this we will have a good second crop.
OZAUKEE-K.A.: Corn and beans are turning yellow due to too much moisture.
WAUKESHA-R.F.: We had about 3 inches of rain last week. Corn is about 12 to 18 inches tall. Neighbor baling hay, seemed to be decent.
