Farmers want Mother Nature to help them get good corn and soybean crops off their fields this year. According to the United States Department of Agriculture's Crop Progress and Condition Report, Wisconsin farmers had over five days suitable for fieldwork last week, overcoming some early week rains to harvest small grains and cut hay. Corn silking is at 84 percent, which slipped off last week's pace from one to four days behind last year. Five percent of the crop is at the denting stage, the first sign corn shows on its way toward getting harvested. In Kewaunee, Deer Run Dairy owner Duane Ducat says farmers are starting to see their crops turn the corner after being challenged earlier in the year, something a long growing season will only help.

While the corn crop is playing catch-up, soybeans and oats are ahead of schedule. Eighty-eight percent of the soybean crop is blooming, with another 66 percent setting pods three days ahead of last year. Oats coloring is at 95 percent, and 58 percent of the oats for the grain crop have been harvested, three days ahead of last year.