Still Not Much Progress in Wisconsin Farm Fields

It was another cold and damp week across the state of Wisconsin this past week, which caused farmers to get even further behind in their spring fieldwork activities. The latest crop/weather summary from the state’s agriculture department noted that light rain, snow and cold conditions provided little opportunity for fields to dry out. Some manure spreading was reported where low temperatures firmed the ground, but other fieldwork was stalled by wet conditions.

Topsoil moisture was even wetter than the previous week at one percent short, 54 percent adequate and 45 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture averages around the state were also one percent short, 62 percent adequate and 37 percent surplus.

As of Sunday, spring tillage was two percent complete statewide, just slightly behind last year and three percent behind the five-year average for this week. Oats planting was three percent complete, one percent behind 2015 and five percent lower the average. Statewide, there were no reports of potato acres being planted.

Reporters say winter wheat was 79 percent in good to excellent condition statewide, unchanged from last week.