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Weather helps fall harvest in Wisconsin

The Capital Times  —  9/30/2008 7:36 am

The fall harvest is getting into full swing across Wisconsin, with above average temperatures and little rain allowing farmers to spend almost the entire last week in the fields.

The Wisconsin Crop Progress Report from the U.S. National Agricultural Statistics Service said 6.4 out of seven days were suitable for fieldwork in the state last week, with the warm weather helping corn and soybean crops mature.

The maturing of the corn crop is behind average for the first week of fall, but corn harvested for silage is 58 percent complete, an increase of 24 percentage points from the week before.

Corn yields are variable with some lower yields reported in areas of the state that have been dry most of the summer.

Soybean harvesting is starting in some spots, with 95 percent of the crop turning color and 79 percent dropping leaves.

The fourth cutting of hay is 52 percent complete, while pastures in some parts have improved with the scattered showers that came through mid-week.

The Capital Times  —  9/30/2008 7:36 am