Wisconsin had 5.8 days suitable for fieldwork statewide for the week ending September 22, 2024, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Above normal temperatures sped advancement in corn and soybean maturity. Mostly dry weather helped farmers make progress harvesting corn silage, cutting hay, and seeding winter wheat. Other field activities included harvesting potatoes, spreading manure, and fall tillage. Harvest of soybeans and corn for grain was underway in portions of the state.
Topsoil moisture condition rated 6 percent very short, 35 percent short, 57 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 3 percent very short, 30 percent short, 66 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus.
Corn in the dough stage was nearly complete at 97 percent. Eighty-two percent of corn has reached the dent stage, 3 days behind last year but equal to the 5-year average. Thirty-nine percent of the corn crop was mature. Corn for silage harvest was 49 percent complete, 1 day ahead of last year and 2 days ahead of average. Corn condition was 64 percent good to excellent, up 1 percentage point from last week.
Soybeans coloring reached 88 percent. Sixty-five percent of soybeans were dropping leaves, 7 days ahead of last year and 5 days ahead of average. The soybean harvest was 9 percent complete. Soybean condition was at 63 percent good to excellent, up 1 percentage point from last week.
Winter wheat planting was 34 percent complete with 18 percent emerged. The fourth cutting of alfalfa hay was 79 percent complete.
Potato harvest was 62 percent complete. Fall tillage was 6 percent complete. Pasture and range condition was rated 49 percent good to excellent, down 5 percentage points from last week.
USDA NASS Release
