One of the biggest industries in Green and Lafayette counties is agriculture. A majority of the land in the Times' coverage area is farmland, and many of the counties' residents either live on a farm or are connected to agriculture through their job, friends or family.
The same scenario holds true for much of the state.
Two weeks ago, the state Department of Agriculture released its 2007 Growing Season summary, which indicated the state saw excessive moisture highs and lows during the summer.
As a whole, Wisconsin reported above-normal temperatures for the entire growing season, with precipitation for June and July coming in below normal. The fall weather, however, pushed crops to mature at above-average rates.
Here are some interesting state statistics from the report:
• Wisconsin farmers planted 4.05 million acres of corn in 2007, an 11 percent increase from last year. Of those acres planted, 3.28 million were harvested for grain with a yield of 135 bushels per acre.
• Michigan was the only neighboring state to report a lower corn grain yield than Wisconsin.
• This year's corn crop set a record for highest production, at 443 million bushels. The previous record was 437 million set in 1994.
• Silage area harvested has declined since 2004, reaching 745,000 acres this year. Corn silage acres yielded 16 tons per acre for 2007.
• Silage production was 11.9 million tons in 2007, compared to 14.1 million tons in 2006.
• Soybean acres planted in Wisconsin declined to 1.35 million acres in 2007, the same acreage as in 1999. Statewide yield was 39 bushels per acre, down 5 bushels per acre from 2006.
• Michigan and Wisconsin tied for the lowest soybean yield in 2007.
• The 2007 soybean crop produced 51.9 million bushels, down 28 percent from 2006.
• Winter wheat was the only small grain to show an increase in acres planted for 2007. Area seeded to winter wheat in the fall of 2006 was 290,000 acres. Area harvested for grain was 270,000 acres, a 17 percent increase from last year.
• Yield dropped 9 bushels per acre from last year to 69 bushels per acre.
• Production reached 18.6 million bushels, an increase of 4 percent from 2006.
• Wisconsin producers seeded 330,000 acres of winter wheat for the 2008 crop year. This is an increase of 40,000 acres from 2007 and is the highest on record.
To see the full report, go to www.wisconsinagconnection.com
The same scenario holds true for much of the state.
Two weeks ago, the state Department of Agriculture released its 2007 Growing Season summary, which indicated the state saw excessive moisture highs and lows during the summer.
As a whole, Wisconsin reported above-normal temperatures for the entire growing season, with precipitation for June and July coming in below normal. The fall weather, however, pushed crops to mature at above-average rates.
Here are some interesting state statistics from the report:
• Wisconsin farmers planted 4.05 million acres of corn in 2007, an 11 percent increase from last year. Of those acres planted, 3.28 million were harvested for grain with a yield of 135 bushels per acre.
• Michigan was the only neighboring state to report a lower corn grain yield than Wisconsin.
• This year's corn crop set a record for highest production, at 443 million bushels. The previous record was 437 million set in 1994.
• Silage area harvested has declined since 2004, reaching 745,000 acres this year. Corn silage acres yielded 16 tons per acre for 2007.
• Silage production was 11.9 million tons in 2007, compared to 14.1 million tons in 2006.
• Soybean acres planted in Wisconsin declined to 1.35 million acres in 2007, the same acreage as in 1999. Statewide yield was 39 bushels per acre, down 5 bushels per acre from 2006.
• Michigan and Wisconsin tied for the lowest soybean yield in 2007.
• The 2007 soybean crop produced 51.9 million bushels, down 28 percent from 2006.
• Winter wheat was the only small grain to show an increase in acres planted for 2007. Area seeded to winter wheat in the fall of 2006 was 290,000 acres. Area harvested for grain was 270,000 acres, a 17 percent increase from last year.
• Yield dropped 9 bushels per acre from last year to 69 bushels per acre.
• Production reached 18.6 million bushels, an increase of 4 percent from 2006.
• Wisconsin producers seeded 330,000 acres of winter wheat for the 2008 crop year. This is an increase of 40,000 acres from 2007 and is the highest on record.
To see the full report, go to www.wisconsinagconnection.com