It’s Harvest Season in Wisconsin
- Alice in Dairyland
- Sep 20
- 3 min read
For many Wisconsin farmers, this change in the seasons means harvest is upon us. You may have seen large tractors and machinery on the roads making their way to their next harvest destination, and be sure to drive carefully when near them. This year, National Farm Safety and Health Week is being held September 21-27, 2025, with the theme “Safety First, Avoid the Worst.” This annual promotion is led by the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS). It acknowledges and uplifts America’s farmers who have encountered challenges in their lives yet continue to work hard to provide the agricultural products that we all need to live a vibrant life. Every day throughout the week is dedicated to a different topic in agricultural health and safety, including grain bin safety, mental health and wellness, ATV/UTV best practices, and especially equipment and rural roadway safety. Safety and caution on rural roadways is very important during this time of year while many farmers are working hard for much of the day, harvesting crops between different fields.
Corn Silage Harvest
Many Wisconsin farmers are busy harvesting corn silage. Wisconsin remains number one for corn silage in the United States, producing more than 16.3 million tons of it in 2023. It makes sense that Wisconsin produces the most corn silage because it can be used to feed 1.28 million of Wisconsin’s dairy cows! Wisconsin accounts for 12.6% of the corn silage nationwide, which has increased over the years, and about 780,000 acres of corn are used for corn silage.
Corn silage is made by harvesting the still green stalk, leaves and ears of corn which is then chopped, fermented and fed to ruminants, like cows. Once the corn is harvested, many farmers store their silage in bunkers, silos, and silage bags where the fermentation takes place. Corn silage serves as a high-energy forage for dairy cows. One of the most important factors influencing corn silage quality is moisture content at time of harvest.
Other Fall Crops and Honey
Some other crops that are being harvested this fall are Wisconsin apples, cranberries, potatoes, pears, squash, and pumpkins. As you bite into these fruits and vegetables, take a second to salute the honeybee who pollinates one-third of our foods, from fresh produce to alfalfa for cows that produce our milk. These hard-working bees also keep us in constant supply of sweet-tasting Wisconsin honey.
September is the perfect time to recognize the honeybee because it is National Honey Month! Honey is made possible by our state’s bees AND beekeepers, so we can celebrate the many benefits that this dedicated community brings to Wisconsin’s $116.3 billion agriculture industry. Honey is a sweet and viscous fluid produced by honeybees from the nectar of flowers and is used as a baking ingredient, beauty ingredient and natural throat soother. In 2023, Wisconsin ranked 11th in nation for honey, producing nearly 2.8 million pounds of honey.
Not only is honey good for Wisconsin’s economy, but it is also great as a natural sweetener in foods. Honey works well as a substitute for granulated sugar in recipes not only because of its unique flavor, but also because it is a liquid and blends easily and quickly with other ingredients. Honey helps foods stay fresher longer because it absorbs and retains moisture. On top of all these benefits, it is great tasting, healthy, and affordable.
With over 62,000 colonies in Wisconsin, there is an abundance of locally made Wisconsin honey from beekeepers right in your communities that you can find at many different locations. Everyone should always keep a jar of Wisconsin honey at home as eating for health has never been sweeter. For ways to sweeten your foods and or for recipe ideas, visit the National Honey Board at www.honey.com today.
