(AP) -- As the drought
continues, Wisconsin's
corn crop remains in sad shape.
In its weekly crop progress report for Wisconsin, the U.S. Department of
Agriculture said Monday that 43 percent of the state's corn crop is in very
poor or poor condition, with just 31 percent rated as good to excellent. Hay
yields are coming up short due to a lack of moisture, plus insects.
Only 23 percent of the state's soil has adequate moisture, with 46
percent of the state very short. Ninety-nine percent of the soil in
south-central Wisconsin
is rated short or very short.
Forty-five percent of the corn in the 18 states that planted the most
corn acreage last year is in very poor to poor condition as the drought
continues across most of the Midwest.
Farmers suffering under an
ongoing drought will be allowed to harvest hay and graze cattle on about 11,500
acres of state-owned land.
Gov. Scott Walker made the announcement Monday.
The special harvest ends Aug. 10 for prairie grasses and Aug. 30 for
cool season grasses. Only one cutting of hay will be allowed.
Farmers will have to sign an agreement saying the hay being taken from
state property will be used for livestock and not sold.
More information is available at 1-888-936-7463 or on the Department of
Natural Resources website at dnr.wi.gov
Additional drought-related information
is on a special website www.ready.wi.gov
