Farmers in America's Dairyland continued to play catch-up last week as weather conditions allowed. The Wisconsin Ag Statistics Service said in this week's crop report that planting activities were still keeping growers busy between rain showers, while the first cutting of alfalfa was underway across much of the state.
Topsoil moisture condition levels were rated one percent very short, six percent short, 77 percent adequate and 16 percent surplus.
As of Sunday, 88 percent of the spring tillage was complete statewide. That's more than two weeks behind last year, but only two days slower than the five-year average.
Corn planting was 80 percent complete--12 days behind the same time in 2021, but right on target compared to other years. Just over half of the corn crop has now emerged.
Farmers also have 73 percent of the soybeans in the ground. That was nine days behind last year, but five days ahead of the average.
All but 14 percent of the oats are now seeded, which is running two weeks slower than a year earlier and five days off the normal progress. Sixty-eight percent of the oats are emerging and one percent are headed.
And in the hay fields, 13 percent of the alfalfa has been cut. Compared to 2021, that's just four days behind a year ago and two days behind average. All hay condition was reported 77 percent good to excellent, up 2 percentage points from last week.
Categories: Wisconsin, Crops, Hay & Forage