Wisconsin crop update provided

For the week ending October 4, Wisconsin experienced 4.3 days suitable for fieldwork, with rain delays primarily impacting southern areas. Overall topsoil moisture was rated at 67 percent adequate and 13 percent surplus, while subsoil moisture was rated at 66 percent adequate and 10 percent surplus. Despite weather interruptions, key harvesting and planting activities continued across the state.

The corn crop made steady progress, reaching 72 percent maturity—slightly ahead of the five-year average of 70 percent. Silage harvests advanced significantly to 87 percent complete, well above the historical average of 77 percent, while harvest for grain reached 8 percent. Corn condition held firm with 59 percent of the crop rated in good to excellent condition.

Soybean development saw 88 percent of crops dropping leaves, outpacing the five-year average of 85 percent. Harvest activity reached 11 percent, behind the average pace of 27 percent. Overall soybean condition improved slightly, rising 1 percentage point from the prior week to 58 percent good to excellent.

In other field activities, winter wheat planting reached 48 percent completion compared to the 58 percent average, with 24 percent of the crop emerged. Meanwhile, pasture and range conditions slipped slightly, with 40 percent rated good to excellent, down 2 percentage points from the previous week.