Harvest season is beginning to pick up across Green County, with corn and soybeans coming out of fields and more farm equipment moving between fields, farms and local roads as producers try to take advantage of favorable weather.

The latest U.S. Department of Agriculture crop progress report, covering the week ending Oct. 4, showed harvest still in the early stages across south-central Wisconsin, the agricultural statistics district that includes Green County. Corn for grain was 6% harvested in the district, while soybean harvest was 5% complete. About 76% of corn had reached maturity, and 87% of soybeans were dropping leaves.

Statewide, corn for grain was 8% harvested, close to the five-year average of 9%. Soybean harvest was further behind, with 11% harvested compared with a five-year average of 27%. USDA reported that rain delayed fieldwork across much of southern Wisconsin, and south-central Wisconsin had just 3.1 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending Oct. 4.

The short-term weather outlook could help farmers make up ground. The National Weather Service forecast calls for sunshine and highs near 80 Sunday and the low 80s Monday, followed by another mostly sunny day Tuesday. Shower chances increase later in the week, making the early-week stretch an important opportunity for fieldwork.