News

Wisconsin too cool and wet for most fieldwork

Cool and wet conditions continued to slow most Wisconsin farmers last week. 

USDA’s National Ag Statistics Service says northern Wisconsin still has some areas with frost in the ground, and most of the state is too wet for fieldwork.  The exceptions are in the southern counties and central sands regions where spring tillage and some planting has begun.

Oat planting is seven percent finished, and about three days behind average.

Potato planting has begun in central Wisconsin and is two percent complete.

Spring tillage is eight percent finished, which is two days behind average.

Pasture and range conditions are 2% excellent, 22% good, 40% fair, and 24% poor, with 12% of the pastureland in very poor condition.

Four percent of the winter wheat is in excellent condition, with 42% in good condition, and 46% in fair condition.

Eighteen percent of the topsoil has surplus moisture, with 65% having adequate moisture and 15% short of moisture.  Subsoil levels are similar.

USDA says just over three days were suitable for fieldwork in the week ending Sunday.