Wisconsin had 6.0 days suitable for fieldwork statewide for the week ending September 8, 2024, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Farmers took advantage of the cool and mostly dry weather for fieldwork including finishing up the small grain harvest, digging potatoes, cutting hay and planting fall seeded crops.
Topsoil moisture condition rated 2 percent very short, 18 percent short, 75 percent adequate and 5 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 0 percent very short, 13 percent short, 79 percent adequate and 8 percent surplus.
Corn in the dough stage reached 90 percent. Fifty-eight percent of corn has reached the dent stage, 1 day behind last year but 1 day ahead of the 5-year average. Five percent of the corn crop was mature. Corn for silage harvest was 9 percent complete, 2 days behind last year and 3 days behind average. Corn condition was 64 percent good to excellent, down 1 percentage point from last week.
Soybeans were nearly finished setting pods, while coloring reached 45 percent, 2 days ahead of last year and the average. Ten percent of soybeans are dropping leaves. Soybean condition was rated 62 percent good to excellent, up 1 percentage point from last week.
Oats were 98 percent harvested. Winter wheat planting was 11 percent complete with scattered emergence observed. The third cutting of alfalfa hay was 96 percent complete and fourth cutting was 44 percent complete. All hay condition was rated 77 percent good to excellent, down 1 percentage point from last week.
Potato harvest was 42 percent complete. Potato condition was 88 percent good to excellent, down 2 percentage points from last week. Pasture and range condition was rated 57 percent good to excellent, down 4 percentage points from last week.
USDA NASS Press Release
