Wisconsin farmers navigate wet conditions for planting

By Blake Jackson

Wisconsin farmers encountered wet conditions for most of the week ending May 12th, 2024, limiting fieldwork opportunities to just 3.6 suitable days according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Despite the rain, planting progress continued for several key crops.

The wet weather proved beneficial for wheat and alfalfa growth. Field activities included tillage, planting, and fertilizer application whenever conditions allowed. Some scattered reports of hay cutting also emerged.

Soil moisture levels remained favorable across the state. Topsoil moisture was rated 71% adequate and 20% surplus, with only 1% and 8% reported as very short and short, respectively. Subsoil moisture followed a similar trend, with 74% adequate and 14% surplus.

Here's a summary of planting progress for major crops:

• Corn: Planting reached 40% completion, 3 days ahead of last year and the 5-year average. Corn emergence is at 8%.
• Soybeans: Soybean planting is 37% complete, exceeding last year's progress by 5 days and the average by 4 days. Emergence for soybeans is at 6%.
• Oats: Oat planting is significantly ahead of schedule, with 68% completed. This is 6 days faster than last year and 3 days ahead of the average. Oat emergence reached 38%.
• Potatoes: Potato planting is nearly complete at 80%, surpassing last year by 8 days and the average by 6 days.
• Spring Tillage: Spring tillage activities are also ahead of schedule, reaching 71% completion, 6 days ahead of last year and 3 days ahead of the average.

While planting progress is positive, there was a slight decline in winter wheat condition. Rated at 85% good to excellent statewide, this is down 1 percentage point from the previous week. Hay and pasture conditions remained steady, with both sitting at 74% good to excellent. Pasture and range conditions even improved slightly, increasing 4 percentage points to reach 59% good to excellent.

Wisconsin farmers are making progress with planting despite the wet conditions. However, drier weather would be beneficial to allow for further fieldwork and potentially improve the condition of winter wheat.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-mvburling