Sunny, breezy conditions and minimal precipitation helped dry out fields and jumpstart fieldwork.
In the lastest "crop progress" update for Wisconsin some reporters noted that fields were still too wet for planting, but many commented that oats and alfalfa were going into the ground quickly. Potatoes were being planted in central and southern Wisconsin, though potato planting had not yet begun in most of the northern portions of the state. Some early corn seeding was also reported but many producers were holding off until the soil warms up.
Spring tillage, manure spreading and fertilizer applications rounded out field activities for the week. Winter wheat, hay and pastures responded to warm conditions with a burst of growth. Reports on winterkill were variable.
Statewide, topsoil moisture had declined from the previous week, with 0 percent very short, 4 percent short, 69 percent adequate and 27 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was 0 percent very short, 2 percent short, 71 percent adequate and 27 percent surplus.
As of April 17th, spring tillage was 14 percent complete statewide, equal to last year and 3 days ahead of the five-year average.
Corn planting has begun with 1 percent reported complete.
Oats planting was reported as 16 percent complete, 2 days behind 2015 and 1 percentage point behind the five-year average. One percent of the oat crop has emerged.
Nine percent of the potato crop was planted, one week behind last year.
Pasture condition was rated 80 percent fair to good, compared to 77 percent last week.
Winter wheat was 79 percent in good to excellent condition statewide, equal to the previous week.
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