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Timely rains benefitting Wisconsin crops

An eastern Wisconsin farmer says a dry start to the year has given way to timely rains.

Danny Brisky, who grows soybeans, corn, and alfalfa in Dodge County, says his crops are off to a good start.

“It was one of the wetter Aprils around here, but one of the drier Mays.”  He says, “So, we got the crop planted and ever since then we’ve been kind of catching close to an inch of rain a week. So, stuff has been looking really good up in our neck of the woods. We are cautiously optimistic at this point.”

The third-generation farmer tells Brownfield he’s been taking advantage of the short windows in between rains.

“Corn is pretty well all sprayed, first and second pass.”  He says, “Second shot of nitrogen is on. Beans on my farm are probably 1/3 sprayed with a second pass. Second crop alfalfa has come off really good, and you have to look pretty hard to try to find some bad spots around here right now.”

Statewide, the USDA says 82% of Wisconsin corn is in good to excellent condition, while 78% of soybeans are in good condition with 20% blooming, and 1% setting pods. Seventy eight percent of the state’s oats are headed with 81% rated good to excellent.

AUDIO: Danny Brisky – Wisconsin farmer