Farmers in northern Wis. report light frost
State farmers are hoping for more heat and more time before a killing frost arrives this fall after some light frost was reported in northern Wisconsin early last week, according to the latest crop report issued Monday from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service.
Rains later in the week helped some areas, but the rain was called too late for most crops and only hampered field work as farmers were trying to bring in the fourth cutting of hay.
The crop report showed corn progressing, but the dry summer is hurting yields. Corn silage harvesting was in full swing with 16 percent complete, compared to 44 percent at this time last year.
Soybeans were maturing with 65 percent turning color and 27 percent dropping leaves. Farmers said the soybean crop was nine percent excellent, 39 percent good, 30 percent fair, 15 percent poor and seven percent very poor.
The third cutting of hay was 92 percent complete and the fourth cutting 31 percent complete. A Waukesha County farmer said the third crop of hay was completely lost due to lack of rain in August.
Soil moisture conditions as of Sept. 14 showed 97 percent of the northeast corner of the state as being very short or in short supply of moisture, with most of the southern tier of counties showing short or adequate supplies.
