Killing Frost Ends Wisconsin Growing Season

Tuesday, October 4th, 2022 -- 8:01 AM

(Wisconsin Ag Connection) A killing frost has quickly brought green plants to a standstill, while turning the leaves on many trees into bright colors across the northern two-thirds of Wisconsin last week.

According to the Wisconsin Ag Connection, the latest crop/weather summary from the state's agriculture department said farmers had 6.1 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending October 2.

There was little precipitation, which allowed farmers to make progress on harvesting hay, corn silage, and soybeans. Topsoil moisture condition levels were rated two percent very short, 14 percent short, 78 percent adequate and six percent surplus.

As of Sunday, 94 percent of corn had reached the dent state and 69 percent of the crop was considered 'mature.' Farmers have 59 percent of their corn for silage chopped, which is 12 days behind last year and five days slower than average.

All but three percent of the soybeans have changed color and 81 percent are dropping leaves. So far, 11 percent of the beans have been run through the combine, nearly a week behind the 2021 harvest progress and three days behind normal for the first weekend in October.

Just over half of the winter wheat has been planted, with 35 percent of the crop now emerged. In the hay fields, 94 percent of the fourth crop is now off the fields. Farmers also have a good start on their fall tillage activity, which is 17 percent complete.

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