Wisconsin had 4.5 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending July 14, 2024, 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 0 percent very short, 1 percent short, 60 percent adequate and 39 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 0 percent very short, 0 percent short, 61 percent adequate and 39 percent surplus.
Corn silking was 17 percent complete, 6 days ahead of last year and 3 days ahead of the 5-year average. Corn condition was rated 58 percent good to excellent, down 4 percentage points from last week.
Thirty-four percent of the soybean crop has bloomed, 1 day ahead of last year but 3 days behind average. Five percent of the soybean crop was setting pods. Soybean condition was 56 percent good to excellent, down 4 percentage points from last week.
The oat crop was 92 percent headed and 53 percent of the crop was coloring. Oat condition was rated at 78 percent
good to excellent statewide, unchanged from last week.
Winter wheat coloring was at 97 percent. Seven percent of the winter wheat crop has been harvested, one day ahead of average. Winter wheat condition was rated 81 percent good to excellent, unchanged from last week.
The second cutting of alfalfa hay was 65 percent complete, 6 days behind last year and 1 day behind average. All hay condition improved to 71 percent good to excellent, up 3 percentage points from last week.
Reports of potato harvest beginning were received. Potato condition decreased to 87 percent good to excellent, down 3 percentage points from last week. Pasture and range condition increased to 71 percent good to excellent, up 2 percentage points from last week.
