Wisconsin is currently experiencing a severe drought, causing concern among experts regarding the increased risk of fires. Certain areas in our region have reached “high” and “very high” levels of fire danger.
The recent dry weather in Wisconsin has had a significant impact on farms, causing farmers across the state to closely monitor their crops.
According to Chris Clark, a Crop and Soils Outreach Specialist at UW-Extension, the excessive rainfall during May and June had a significant impact on the timing of crop planting for farmers later in the season.
Jacob Van Gheem, a Farmer & Sales Agronomist, suggests a different approach when it comes to drying corn. While many farmers focus on achieving dryer corn, he raises the question of whether this mindset is causing them to lose bushels in the process.
Instead of rushing to dry corn to a low moisture content, Van Gheem proposes considering harvesting corn at around 24 to 25 percent moisture to avoid potential yield losses often referred to as “phantom yield loss.”
According to Clark, local farmers are facing the challenge of purchasing more hay for their livestock at a higher cost. The scarcity of snow during the previous winter negatively impacted the planting season, putting additional financial pressure on farmers in the area.
