Wisconsin Ag Connection - Crop Report: Yield Potential Still High for Corn, Soybeans

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Crop Report: Yield Potential Still High for Corn, Soybeans
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 07/08/2008

With the warm, dry weather this past week, corn and soybeans continued to show improvement in many Wisconsin counties. The drier weather allowed growers to spray corn and soybean fields where weeds were becoming a problem. As previously wet fields dry out, corn in these fields has been getting greener. Soybeans were less yellow than in past weeks, as well. Both crops have canopied over the soil to help preserve moisture.

This week's crop/weather summary indicated that soil moisture conditions were at one percent very short, 25 percent short, 67 percent adequate, and seven percent surplus.

As of Sunday, corn height was reported as still below normal, but the warmer weather has helped to promote growth. The average corn height was reported at 30 inches. Corn condition was reported as three percent very poor, seven percent poor, 26 percent fair, 48 percent good, and 16 percent excellent.

Soybean conditions continued to improve this past week and were reported as growing well in most places. Nearly all soybeans, including replants, have been planted with 99 percent emergence and eight percent in bloom. Soybean conditions were reported as three percent very poor, seven percent poor, 29 percent fair, 49 percent good, and 12 percent excellent.

First crop hay was nearly completed with the second crop ready to cut in some areas of the state. In most north and central areas, hay quality and quantity has been good. First crop hay was reported at 95 percent harvested with the second crop at 21 percent harvested.

Winter wheat conditions were reported at two percent very poor, four percent poor, 17 percent fair, 53 percent good, and 24 percent excellent. Some scab has been reported in the southern part of the state. Most of the oats have headed, at 72 percent complete. Some oats were harvested for silage this past week in western areas of the state. Oat conditions were reported at one percent very poor, four percent poor, 18 percent fair, 65 percent good, and 12 percent excellent.

Pasture condition was reported as four percent poor, 22 percent fair, 57 percent good, and 16 percent excellent. Small grains were reported as short but in good condition. Wheat, rye, and barley were all turning with a lot of the early wheat straw already turning yellow. Snap beans were setting and peas were being harvested. Potatoes and sweet corn looked good. Cranberry bloom was near completion and looking very promising.

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