Wisconsin had 6.8 days suitable for fieldwork statewide for the week ending October 6, 2024, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Another warm and dry week that led to advances in soybean harvest and corn maturity. Soil moisture supplies continued to decline. Harvest was ongoing for soybeans, corn, cranberries, potatoes, and vegetables for processing. Other field activities included spreading manure, fall tillage and seeding winter wheat.
Topsoil moisture condition rated 16 percent very short, 39 percent short, 45 percent adequate and 0 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 11 percent very short, 35 percent short, 53 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus.
Corn in the dent stage was 95 percent. Seventy percent of the corn crop was mature, 1 day behind last year but 1 day ahead of the 5-year average. Corn for grain was 10 percent harvested. Corn for silage harvest was 80 percent complete, 1 day ahead of last year and 5 days ahead of average. Corn condition declined to 61 percent good to excellent.
Soybeans coloring reached 97 percent and 90 percent of soybeans were dropping leaves. The soybean harvest was 61 percent complete, 12 days ahead of last year and 2 weeks ahead of average. Soybean condition was at 59 percent good to excellent, down 5 percentage points from last week.
Winter wheat planting was 63 percent complete, 2 days ahead of last year and average. Thirty-six percent of the crop has emerged. The fourth cutting of alfalfa hay was 92 percent complete.
Potato harvest was 86 percent complete. Fall tillage was 22 percent complete. Pasture and range condition was rated 38 percent good to excellent, down 7 percentage points from last week.
