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Fieldwork at a standstill in much of Wisconsin

The wintery weather pattern that brought snow to much of Wisconsin this week has kept most farmers out of their fields.

Ben Augustine has a dairy and crop operation near Sheldon in north central Wisconsin. He says, “Yeah, I can’t even do stuff outside yet. It’s too cold, wet, and rainy.”

Augustine tells Brownfield there is manure to apply as soon as conditions allow. “I know guys south of me that are getting some manure out but as far as up here? Nothing.”

The rain and snow may be slowing down fieldwork, but Augustine says it’s been a dry 2023 and a dry winter and spring, so the moisture is very welcome. “The river was low. The creek was low. You know, there’s just nothing standing around for water.”

Augustine says his equipment is ready to roll, but for now, he has to wait. “I’m thinking manure in three weeks and I hope I’m planting towards the end of the month.”

This week’s weather system brought from one to nine inches of heavy, wet snow to most of Wisconsin.