News

WI planting progress varies greatly depending on region

Wisconsin planting progress ranges from completely finished to not even started, depending on where you look.  Some regions have been wet, others dry, and soil temperatures have been cooler in the north until recently.

USDA’s National Ag Statistics Service says sixteen percent of the state’s corn is planted, which is two days behind last year and the five-year average.  The south-central part of the state has 37% of the corn planted, with 24% done in the southwestern and southeastern corners.  Only 4% of corn is planted in northwestern Wisconsin, and some planters haven’t left the shed in northeastern Wisconsin.

Seventeen percent of Wisconsin’s soybeans are planted.  That’s one day ahead of the five-year average.  Southcentral Wisconsin farmers already have 40% of the crop planted, but northern regions all have less than 4% in the ground.

Oat planting is 36% finished, with 10% of the oats emerged.  Planting is five days behind average.  Like other crops, the southern counties have had better conditions and warmer soil temperatures, so they are farther ahead.

Spring tillage is 42% complete, which is three days behind average.  Southern parts of the state are between 61% and 71% finished with tillage while north central and northeastern Wisconsin are at 7% and 8% respectively, waiting for better field conditions.

Topsoil moisture is rated 27% surplus statewide, with 66% adequate and 7% short with subsoil moisture at 22% surplus, 66% adequate, and 11% short, but there are reports of some wet southern regions and very low subsoil moistures in northwestern Wisconsin.

There were 3.2 days suitable for fieldwork in the week ending Sunday, May 4^th.