Frigid arctic air and the first heavy snow accumulations last week created a boom-or-bust scenario for many Wisconsin farmers.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's weekly crop progress report released Monday, the new snow cover created “treacherous or impassable” field conditions in some areas.
“However,” USDA officials said, “areas missed by heavy snow saw the ground freeze solid enough to support machinery, a welcome event where harvest has been delayed by muddy soils.”
Field reporters said that between the deep snow and frozen ground, most remaining fall tillage will be left unfinished. And with the winter weather seemingly here to stay, grain moistures are running high, leaving many farmers facing some tough decisions.
“Harvest activities forged ahead wherever standing crops were accessible,” USDA officials added. “Manure spreading necessary to clear pits for winter was also going full force, though the operation was hampered by wet conditions in some areas.”
As of Nov. 16, USDA reported that 96 percent of the state's corn crop was mature — two weeks behind the five-year average. Corn for grain was 64 percent harvested with moisture hovering around 22 percent on average.
Corn grain harvest in south central Wisconsin, though, was reportedly 86 percent complete by last week's end, which is 12 points ahead of the five-year average.
“Crop season is basically over for 2014,” said a Dane County field reporter. “Lots of liquid manure still going on – trying to beat the frozen ground and work it in. Still a few fields of corn standing.”
“Farmers had been enjoying near ideal fall harvest conditions and were making good progress on getting crops off the field,” added a Sawyer County reporter. “The storm left over 12 inches of snow across the entire county and will definitely slow the remaining harvest.”
Approximately 93 percent of the state's soybean crop has been harvested, which is on-target with the five-year average. Nearly 100 percent of beans have been collected in the south central region.
Winter wheat was 96 percent planted and 84 percent emerged as of Nov. 16. The crop was rated as 66 percent in good to excellent condition.
USDA said fall tillage was 60 percent statewide last week, which is four percent higher than the five-year mark.
“Waiting to see if conditions will allow corn combining,” a Langlade County reporter said. “Beans and manure application appears done.”
Average temperatures last week across USDA's five weather reporting stations varied from 14 degrees below normal at Eau Claire (21degrees) to eight below in Madison (30 degrees) and Milwaukee (33 degrees).
Snowfall totals also ranged greatly last week, from 23 inches in Oneida County and 18 inches in Burnett County, down to eight inches in Eau Claire County less than two inches in Dane County.
Madison has received 5.34 inches of precipitation since Sept. 1, which is more than one-inch below normal. Year-to-date the capital city has recorded 33.15 inches of precipitation, 3.02 inches above normal.
Source - http://www.hngnews.com/
