With temperatures dipping below freezing for more than half of the past week, farmers had limited opportunity to finish tillage activity or plant crops. The Wisconsin Ag Statistics Service said on its weekly crop progress report that many areas experienced potential frost damage to hay and winter wheat. Light snow also fell in much of the state but did not stick. Reports noted that soils remained too cold for corn planting in northern Wisconsin, but small grains and alfalfa planting continued.
Topsoil moisture levels were rated three percent very short, 18 percent short, 71 percent adequate and eight percent surplus.
As of Sunday, about six percent of the corn was planted. That was three day behind last year, but one day ahead of the five-year average.
Forty-five percent of the oats are now in the ground, with 18 percent emerged.
Winter wheat condition was rated 85 percent good to excellent statewide, which was slightly better than last week.
And spring tillage was reported as 48 percent complete--five days better than last year and 12 days ahead of normal.
Categories: Wisconsin, Crops, Corn, Wheat, Weather