Current Wisconsin weather and climate conditions

• Precip totals from last week were on the order of an inch or more across the state, with a few bands of 2”+. Some in Rock County received over 3”, mainly from last Wednesday’s system.
• Temperatures in the state were near-to-below normal last week, which has also been the case for most of the state over the past 30 days. The south has been averaging temps that are below normal by 1-3°F since mid-May.

Impact

• Soil moisture conditions improved following the rains last week, with models indicating that most of the state has near-to-above soil moisture conditions. Wisconet stations indicate a gain in moisture in the top few inches of soil since last week’s report.
• Drought coverage & severity was virtually unchanged from last week.
• Corn and soybean planting are virtually complete, with emergence making >10% gains from last week for both crops. Crop condition for corn, soybeans, and winter wheat are ≥70% good to excellent (Source: NASS).

Outlook for Wisconsin weather and climate

• The next 7 days are looking a bit more active for precip, with the highest chances for precip in the north/northwest.
• Mid-to-Late June climate probabilities are leaning slightly towards near-to-above normal statewide. Best odds for warmer-than-normal temps are in the north. Precip is not currently showing a strong probability towards above or below normal.
• The month of June probabilities (updated on May 31) are showing a lean towards warmer-than-normal, with uncertainty for precip (equal chances).

Agronomic considerations

• Field Work and Conditions
  • Avoid trafficking fields in moist conditions to prevent compaction.
  • See these considerations for early season corn management. See how wildfire haze may impact corn growth. 
  • Crop growth has been slowed with cooler temperatures.  Much of the corn crop is short due to a lack of heat units.
  • Take stand counts to make any replant decisions. See the corn and soybean replant guides. Hailed corn decisions can be found here.
  • Early planted corn is reaching the growth stage appropriate for taking presidedress soil nitrate tests (PSNT)
• Manure Applications
  • Reminder of Wisconsin’s NR 151 Runoff Rules with the timing of manure spreading and current runoff levels. Check DATCP Runoff Risk Advisory Forecast.
• Pest Management ​ 
  • Scout fields to note which weed species are emerging.​
  • As corn and soybean crops grow, note growth stages to time future applications and sampling. ​
  • While slug issues have not been as severe this year, UW is monitoring populations weekly across the state with SlugNet. ​
  • Check moth trap catches in your region with the DATCP Pest Survey. Sign up for insect pest alerts specific to your region. ​
    • Reports of black cutworm have started, and the window of damage has begun for the Northern region. Feeding damage has been reported. Begin scouting for signs of feeding as soon as corn plants emerge. Low numbers of true armyworm have been found; continue routine scouting through the end of June.
• Forage Management ​ 
  • Continue scouting for alfalfa weevil as risk has shifted to northern regions. View the VDIFN model to see local risk.
  • Alfalfa stands in northern WI are still being harvested. See first harvest considerations here.
  • Consider annual forage options depending on your situation and forage goals.
• Small Grains​ 
  • Scout for stripe rust and any signs of disease with recent cool and wet weather. Cephalosporium stripe is showing up in Wisconsin. ​
  • Fusarium Head Blight risk is low across the state but consider spraying fungicide, especially to susceptible varieties. Scab alerts and risk forecast can be found here.
• Specialty crops- Vegetables​
  • The second generation of seed corn maggot is in central and NW WI and will start effecting northern and NE regions in the next week. The risk is high in central WI where mated females will begin laying eggs in the next 5-7 days. Cabbage maggot severity is decreasing in SW WI but remains high in northern and central regions as well as along Lake Michigan. Adults are attracted to areas of high organic matter such as a recently tilled field or areas of high residue to lay eggs.​
  • Start scouting for aster leafhoppers. Aster leafhoppers transmit aster yellows to a wide variety of crops including carrots, onions, lettuce, celery, and garlic. Leafhoppers move into nearby vegetable fields when alfalfa is harvested. Not all leafhoppers carry the pathogen that causes aster yellows; however leafhoppers can migrate to WI already infected with the pathogen. The best way to control aster yellows is by controlling the leafhoppers. Once plants are infected, they will not recover and must be removed to reduce the spread of this disease. Use the aster yellows index (page 19) in the Commercial Vegetable Production guide to help determine when to spray. You can also sign up for text alerts from Michigan State University on infectivity rates from their trapping network.​
  • Potato leafhopper is a pest of snap beans and potatoes that also moves into vegetable fields when alfalfa is harvested. The greatest injury occurs when plants are small.​
  • Continue scouting for Colorado potato beetle on potatoes and eggplant. Adults are now in southern, central and NW regions of the state. Egg hatch is well underway in the south and in the next week 10-25% will be hatched in central WI. Once hatched, larva prefer to feed on new foliage at the plant crown.​
  • Downy mildew spores were detected in air samples in Michigan. Spores are detected a few days to a few weeks before symptoms are seen. Keep an eye on cucumbers and melons. Find management information here.
• Specialty Crops- Fruit​
  • Wisconsin fruit growers can reference the Midwest Fruit Pest Management Guide for a list of registered products and recommended best practices. View the MFPMG Online or order a hard copy here: MFPMG Hard Copy.
  • Apple growers can reference the NEWA weather station network to monitor insect pests and diseases. Make sure to keep track of green tip, petal fall and biofix dates. Check out your nearest weather station: NEWA Weather Station Network (Cornell).
  • Apple growers should continue monitoring for Codling moth. Make sure to check pheromone monitoring traps after warm, calm evenings to establish a biofix date. Biofix occurs when ~5 or more moths are captured in one evening, or across consecutive nights. First generation larvae will emerge after ~250 degree-days base 50℉ have accumulated from the biofix date.
  • Apple growers should keep track of degree-days (base 50℉) from petal fall to determine the end of plum curculio movement into the orchard. Plum curculio will continue movement into the orchard until ~308 degree-days base 50℉ have accumulated from petal fall.
  • Recent rain events have driven infection periods for grape diseases. Grape growers may consider reviewing grape phomopsis monitoring and management. 
  • Grape phylloxera has been observed in Southern WI. Grape growers may reference this article on scouting for phylloxera and scale.
  • Grape growers can reference the NEWA weather station network to monitor disease infection events for phomopsis, powdery mildew and black rot. Check out your nearest weather station: NEWA Grape Diseases Model.
  • Strawberry growers may consider reviewing scouting and management strategies for thrips, tarnished plant bug and mites.

If you would like to obtain a PowerPoint copy of this report, please email rue.genger@wisc.edu.