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Some Wisconsin fieldwork last week ahead of the snowstorm

The USDA says the sunshine and breezy conditions helped lower Wisconsin’s soil moisture levels last week.  Temperatures ranged in the 50’s and 60’s statewide before the weekend snowstorm that brought fieldwork to a halt.

Most Wisconsin farmers worked on manure and fertilizer application last week, but there was some spring tillage and potato planting in well-drained soils where equipment could get in.  Some farmers even planted a few soybeans in the southern part of the state.

As of Sunday, topsoil moisture was 70% adequate and 29% surplus with subsoil moistures at 72% adequate and 28% surplus.  Last week’s rain totaled as little as a trace in central Wisconsin to an inch and a half near the Burnett-Washburn county line.

Spring tillage is 7% finished, as most reporters say many fields are not yet dry enough to work in. 

As of Sunday, nine percent of Wisconsin’s oats are planted, and sixty percent of the winter wheat crop is in good to excellent condition.