Current Conditions

• A hot and humid start to last week wrapped up cooler-than-normal, with a drastic drop in dew points over the weekend.
• Flood warnings are in place along the Mississippi & Rock Rivers. Last week, an additional 0.5+” of rainfall was observed for most in WI, adding to above-normal totals for the month of June.

Impact

•Soil moisture levels remain in higher percentiles for this time of year, with 50-60% of the state reporting good or adequate conditions.

• All USDM drought categorizations have been eliminated in the state!

•Growing degree days are approaching 1200 (800) units in the southern (northern) counties.

•Corn & soybeans are ≥94% emerged, with slight declines in the amount rated good to excellent for both crops.

Outlook

•The forecast is calling for multiple inches of rain for many next week. Excessive rainfall risk is in place.

•Higher likelihood to stay warmer-than-normal heading into mid-July, with near-normal precip.

•The warmer-than-normal conditions have a higher probability to continue through the summer into early fall with a La Niña pattern taking shape.

What does this mean for you? Here are some things to consider for your farm this week:

Crop Development

•Soil moisture is adequate or even high in most places. Be cautious about going in the fields muddy conditions to avoid compaction, especially with more rain forecasted.

•As we are at the end of planting season, consult your crop insurance agent before making decisions regarding prevent plant or replant

• Cover crops(non-corn) on prevent plant acres may now be harvested as forage at any time during the season
  • See info on alternative forages and cover crops

•Hot days mean accumulations of 20+ GDUs per day.  Keep on top of your growth stages to time other applications.

Nutrient & Herbicide Applications

•Consider doing tissue testing and pre-sidedress nitrate testing to assess fertilizer needs.

•Consider splitting nutrient applications if possible

•Consider using urease and nitrification inhibitors to minimize leaching or denitrification.

Manure Applications

•Runoff risk is severe in parts of the state in the next week. Be mindful of the possibility of runoff and plan manure applications accordingly. Check the DATCP runoff risk advisory forecast here.

Pest Management

•Variegated cutworm is showing up in parts of the state Sign up to receive text alerts when pests are in your region here.

•Start to monitor for potato leafhopper pressure in alfalfa, additional information on management here.

•Japanese beetle emergence is underway, see here for management information.

•Take fusarium and DON risk into account when harvesting wheat, more information here.

•As crops near reproductive stages, assess risk of tar spot and white mold, information available here.

Forage Management

•The wet spring has meant mixed results for new alfalfa seedings. Read more here.

•Ensure wide swaths when mowing alfalfa to increase rate of drying and harvest sooner, reducing risk of rain damage.