Wisconsin farmers are eager to begin planting, but field conditions are not cooperating. Topsoil moisture supplies were rated 0 percent very short, 0 percent short, 46 percent adequate and 54 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 0 percent very short, 0 percent short, 56 percent adequate and 44 percent surplus. As of April 14, spring tillage was 3 percent complete statewide, up 2 percentage points from last week, and 2 points behind the 5 year average. Oats planted were reported as 3 percent complete, 6 days ahead of last year but 4 days behind the 5 year average. Winter wheat was 38 percent in good to excellent condition statewide. Pasture condition was rated 17 percent in good to excellent condition. The maple syrup season is drawing to a close.Despite continued strain on farms bottom line, the value on the crops produced went up last year.Wisconsin’s field and miscellaneous crops were valued at $3.67 billion in 2018, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Crop Values summary. This was a 7 percent increase from 2017.The value of corn for grain production totaled $1.91 billion, up 13 percent from the previous year, and production was up 7 percent. Wisconsin’s corn price averaged $3.50 per bushel, an increase of $0.20 from the last marketing year.Down 4 percent from 2017, the value of soybean production was $910 million, while production was up 4 percent. The average price decreased $0.74 from the previous year to $8.60 per bushel.Value of production increased in 2018 from 2017 for potatoes, oats, winter wheat, other hay, and all forage. Value of production decreased in 2018 from 2017 for alfafa hay. Maple syrup value of production decreased in 2017 from 2016.
About Pam Jahnke
Getting up at 2 in the morning might shock some of her listeners, but for Pam Jahnke, it’s part of the business. Born in Northeastern Wisconsin, Pam Jahnke grew up in agriculture. Raised on her family’s 200-acre dairy farm, she learned the “farm work ethic” first hand.
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