US: Wisconsin small grains, potato harvests ramping up

Many Wisconsin farmers took advantage of the mostly-dry week to harvest small grains and hay. USDA statistician Greg Busler says some oats, wheat, and 2nd crop hay was harvested last week, and the potato harvest is getting underway. Forty percent of Wisconsin’s corn is done silking, which is 3 days ahead of the five-year average. Four percent of the corn is now in the dough stage. Sixty-one percent of the corn is rated good to excellent, up four points from last week. Forty-seven percent of the state’s soybeans are now blooming, which is four days behind average. Fourteen percent of the beans are setting pods. The crop condition improved last week with 60% of the crop now in good to excellent condition. Ninety-six percent of Wisconsin’s oats are heading, and 74% of the crop is coloring. Twelve percent of the oats have already been harvested. Seventy-eight percent of the oats are rated good to excellent. The winter wheat harvest is 31% finished, which is four days ahead of ...