News

Weather making Wisconsin harvest difficult to finish

Cool, wet weather and even some snow in far northern Wisconsin is making it tough to complete the harvest.

Barron County Ag Agent Tim Jergenson tells Brownfield some producers in northwestern Wisconsin got a bit of a weather break over the weekend.  “Our producers were actually able to make some progress over the weekend, and we got a little bit of sunshine.  Even though, there were some deer hunters that chose not to hunt and chose to combine instead.  That’s helped a little bit.”

 As far as northwestern Wisconsin yields, Jergenson says, “There seems to be a debate within some of our growers.  I’m hearing mostly better than expected yields.  Nothing record breaking or anything, but better than expected, and then there are a few who are saying it was below expectations.  A majority, though, seemed really pleased.”

The USDA’s National Ag Statistics Service reporters say light rains and heavy fog were common last week, causing grain moisture levels to rise.  Farmers are also reporting slippery conditions in many fields.

Reporters in Chippewa County say yields are good, but field conditions are delaying the harvest.  La Crosse County farmers are having a tough time with too much moisture.  The southern third of the state is progressing well, with most harvesting in the Madison area completed and lines at elevators to the north in Marquette and Waushara counties.

Many NASS reporters in the northern part of Wisconsin are hoping for frozen ground and sunshine to help them get back into the fields to complete the harvest.

Statewide, corn for grain is 69% harvested and the average moisture is 21%.  The corn harvest is running 12 days behind average.

Soybeans are also behind schedule with 94% of the crop in the bin.

Winter wheat was 96% emerged as of Sunday.  Fall tillage is about a week behind, with 58% of the tillage completed.

Overall, 96% of Wisconsin’s cropland has either adequate or surplus moisture.