Posted: 08.10.2010

Rainfall reporters calling into the Farm Report Radio program sound more and more defeated by Mother Nature after a weekends worth of rain and high winds.

Over the weekend, some reporters managed more then 3 inches of additional rainfall, and wind gusts over 60  miles per hour that collapsed pole sheds and literally moved loaded farm equipment.  Each story, sounding a little more disappointed at not being able to complete hay harvesting - wheat straw processing - and assorted other field related work.

The feeling of feeling like a victim of Wisconsin weather is widespread.  This weeks latest crop quality report shows that literally every area of the state has at least some soil moisture surplus.  August, normally a hot, dry month - has started out anything but dry.

Wisconsin’s corn crop is still ahead of normal. State officials report that 97 percent of the field corn is silked – an 8 percent jump in one weeks time.

Wisconsin’s sweet corn crop is also in the process of being harvested. Commercial sweet corn producers tell Pam Jahnke that yields look very good for the seasonal treat – but picking the crop and getting it out of wet fields is still a challenge.

Across the state soybeans blooming was reported at 89 percent complete. Soybeans setting pods was reported at 57 percent complete, 20 percentage points above last week.

Reports indicated that soybeans were looking good, with soybean condition reported at 85 percent Good to Excellent.

Insects like loopers, were reported by reporters in Kewaunee county – and white mold has made an appearance on soybeans in Brown county too.

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