Give a Wisconsin farmer a little dry weather and some technology – and watch what they can get done in a week! That’s what you’ll notice about this week’s planting progress report. Farm fields are warming up and drying out – while winter wheat and alfalfa continue to improve.
Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 0 percent very short, 2 percent short, 80 percent adequate and 18 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 0 percent very short, 1 percent short, 80 percent adequate and 19 percent surplus.
As of May 14th, spring tillage was 71 percent complete statewide, 8 days behind last year but 3 days ahead of the five-year average.
Corn planting was 48 percent complete, 8 days behind last year, and 2 days behind the average. Only 3 percent of the corn had emerged as of May 14th.
Fifteen percent of the states’s expected soybean acres have been planted, 7 days behind last year, and 3 days behind the average.
Oats planting was reported as 81 percent complete, 3 days behind last year, but 4 days ahead of the average. Oats emerged was at 42 percent, 5 days behind last year and 2 days behind the average.
Eighty nine percent of the potato crop was planted, 1 day ahead of last year.
Pasture condition was rated 81 percent good to excellent, compared to 72 percent in good to excellent last week.
Winter wheat was 71 percent in good to excellent condition statewide, compared to 70 percent last week.
The first cutting of alfalfa was just starting. All hay condition was reported 69 percent good to excellent.
