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Cool, wet fields are slowing most Wisconsin farmers

Most Wisconsin farmers are waiting for better field conditions.

In the week ending Sunday, there were just under four days suitable for fieldwork statewide.  USDA officials say field activities were limited to spreading fertilizer and manure, some tillage, and a small amount of planting.

Corn planting is 1% complete with most of that in the southern part of the state.

Two percent of the state’s soybeans have been planted.

Oat planting is 17% finished, which is a day behind average.

Potato planting is 14% complete, which is five days behind last year but even with the average.  Planters have been busy in the central sands region, where soil was very dry and rain was a welcome sight.

Spring tillage is a couple of days behind average with 15% of it completed.

Wisconsin’s winter wheat improved over the past week by six percentage points, with 52% of the crop now in good to excellent condition.

Only two percent of the state’s pasture and range conditions are in excellent shape, with 25% reported as good, 40% fair, and 24% poor.