Wisconsin Ag Connection - Farmers Using Dryer Weather to Get Caught Up on Harvest

Wisconsin Ag News Headlines

Farmers Using Dryer Weather to Get Caught Up on Harvest
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 11/17/2009

Another dry week allowed growers to make progress harvesting crops. The dry, warm conditions brought down moisture levels in both crops, easing some concerns over drying costs, although many fields still remained above ideal levels, according to the Wisconsin Ag Statistics Service. The agency's weekly crop report noted that conditions were also favorable for getting some tillage done and manure hauled.

As of Sunday, corn harvested for grain was reported at 38 percent complete, an increase of 15 percentage points from the previous week. Growers made good progress harvesting corn for grain, but many continued to hold back because of high moisture levels. It was a good week for harvesting stalks for bedding, but some had troubles with high moisture levels yet in the stalks.

Soybean harvest was reported at 88 percent complete, an increase of 34 percentage points from the previous week. Conditions allowed beans to dry down and fields to dry out, and growers were able to make great progress harvesting beans. Some areas were reported to be wrapping up soybean harvest.

Winter wheat planted was reported at 84 percent complete with 63 percent emerged. Winter wheat was reported to be coming up well. There were some growers still planting winter wheat as soybeans came off.

Fall tillage was reported at 38 percent complete, an increase of 9 percentage points from the previous week. Growers reported that they were able to get some tillage done last week, but there is still much more to do.