View weather and climate conditions this week in Wisconsin
Here are this week’s take home points about the weather, scroll down for the full report:
Current Conditions
- The dryness continued for another week for the state. Some in the east received a half inch or more of precip. Most stations in the state received <70% of normal precip over the past 30 days, with some at <25% of normal.
- Temperatures last week were once again warmer than normal, except for the NC/NE region that was closer to seasonal.
Impact
•Nearly all of WI is now experiencing dry soil moisture percentiles and is in at least D0 coverage on the USDM map.
•D1 drought coverage expanded to >44% of the state, with 18% in D2 severity.
- Corn harvest is running ahead of normal pace in WI and the larger Midwest, with 85%of fields reported as mature.
- Soybean harvest is nearing completion (83%), which is very far ahead of the normal pace of harvest progress.
•GDDs are approaching 3300 (2700) units in the southern (northern) counties.
Outlook
•Very minimal precip chances next week, with many forecasted to receive no additional rainfall.
•Late October has a higher probability to be warmer and drier than normal but keep an eye out for some dryness relief with a lean toward a wetter-than-normal end to October.
•The remainder of fall is more uncertain for temperatures, with some lean towards above normal precip totals.
•La Niña is favored to be in place by September-November (according to the CPC)
What does this mean for you? Here are some things to consider for your farm this week:
Crop Development
•Monitor moisture in crops closely as the lack of precipitation and mid-season disease pressure has led to some crops drying out earlier than usual.
•Evaluate soil temperatures and moisture for the opportunity for cover crops after crops come off.
•Be aware that nitrogen is still mobile as soil temperatures are still above 50F in most places.
•As crops come off, consider diverse cover crop mixes to help mitigate any compaction that may have occurred this spring and protect soil heading into fall. Tools available here for cover crop selection and their use in a forage rotation.
Manure Applications
•Low runoff risk in the next week. Check the DATCP runoff risk advisory forecast here.
•Consider the relationship between manure and cover crops, learn more here.
Forage Management
•Look out for herbicide carryover, volunteers in late summer seeding of alfalfa after wheat. Read more.
•Fall alfalfa cutting can affect persistence, read more and use our new tool to make informed decisions.
•Be mindful of prussic acid concerns in fields with standing sorghums.
