News

Wisconsin farmers have nearly ideal planting weather

Wisconsin farmers made solid progress with near-ideal planting weather last week.  USDA statistician Greg Bussler says there were five and a half days suitable for fieldwork.

Spring tillage in Wisconsin is now 80% finished, which is about average.

Corn planting is 69% finished, which is a day ahead of the average.  Twenty-six percent of the corn has already emerged, which is also a day ahead of the average.

Wisconsin’s soybean planting is 55% finished.  That’s two days ahead of the average.  Seventeen percent of the soybeans have emerged, which is two days ahead of the average.

The oats are on time with 78% of the crop planted.  Eighty-seven percent of the crop is in good to excellent condition.

Potato planting is now 83% finished.

Winter wheat is 84% in good to excellent condition, up 2% from a week ago.

Topsoil moisture is 78% adequate and 10% surplus statewide, with similar subsoil readings.