In Northern Wisconsin, fields were still covered in snow last week. And the southern fields were too wet to get any significant fieldwork done. But farmers are optimistic that warmer conditions this week will allow for more fieldwork.
The latest crop progress report from USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service shows topsoil moisture condition rated 59 percent adequate and 41 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 1 percent short, 62 percent adequate and 37 percent surplus.
Winter wheat condition was rated 57 percent good to excellent statewide, equal to last week. And pasture condition was rated 41 good to excellent statewide.
In other areas of the U.S., tilling and planting is underway, according to Market Advisor John Heinberg with Total Farm Marketing in West Bend. Texas has about 60 percent of its corn planted, and there’s been movement out East and in the South. Heinberg expects the numbers to grow this week, including in Illinois and Indiana.
He says the story in May will be how far the Dakotas and Northern Wisconsin will have gotten due to the heavy snow that’s been lingering in fields.
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