Note: 2007 census data will be included when it becomes available in early 2009

Wisconsin Crop Weather Report

Vol. 08, No. 04

Fields Remain Wet; Spring Planting Limited

Rain and cooler conditions have continued to delay fieldwork across Wisconsin. One northwestern area of the state reported frost this past week, and many other areas reported the soil as saturated and very cold. Reporters from the northwest and the central part of the state saw snow last week. Most areas reported that fields which were clear of standing water are once again flooded.

Average high temperatures were in the low to upper 50s and average low temperatures ranged from 33 to 39 degrees. Precipitation totals last week ranged from 0.32 inches in Green Bay to 1.93 inches in Eau Claire. Soil moisture conditions were at 0 percent very short, 0 percent short, 50 percent adequate, and 50 percent surplus. There were 2.4 days suitable for fieldwork last week.

Corn planted was reported at 4 percent complete. Few farmers were planting corn due to cold and wet soil conditions. The weather has also caused a delay in Soybean planting.

Oats planted was at 23 percent complete, with oats emerged reported at 10 percent complete. This is well below last year’s average of 72 percent planted and 19 percent emergence.

Spring tillage was reported at 13 percent complete. Dry weather is needed for tillage to progress. Last year’s average at this time was 47 percent complete.

Alfalfa and winter wheat conditions continued to improve across the state with reports of winter wheat coming out of dormancy and greening up. Alfalfa has been reported as surviving the winter and looking excellent except in low areas. Winter wheat freeze damage was reported at 59 percent showing no damage, 25 percent light, 10 percent moderate, and 6 percent severe damage.

Some lime and fertilizer spreading has been done on higher soils and pastures, but spreading was limited due to standing water and muddy conditions.

There were only a few reports of pea and potato planting. One area reported barley that was planted at the end of April has germinated, but it will be at least one week until emergence. Softwood trees are leafing out, and lawns will need mowing within the next week.

RUSK-G.P.: Alfalfa and winter wheat are coming out of dormancy. Continued cold wet weather has limited fieldwork. Rain has shut down everything again. Fields that were clear of standing water are again flooded. Even with good drying conditions, it will be the middle of next week before there is any chance of fieldwork again.

TAYLOR-D.E.: A couple of farmers braved the wet fields and actually achieved some success. No crops are planted as of yet. Hayfields are greening up nicely with few signs of winterkill. The cold, wet weather this past week severely hampered any tillage efforts.

FOREST-R.K.: There has not been much fieldwork done; it is too wet. Some manure spreading is being done.

SHAWANO-T.A.: Some of the older alfalfa stands have stumbled because of poor root and crown health. In general, the alfalfa looks fairly sound. Growth and development of the winter crops and forages are slow. Rains have been keeping most of the fieldwork sidelined for now.

DUNN-S.S.: Alfalfa and winter wheat look O.K. Seen some signs of fieldwork this past week. There has been some lime and fertilizer spreading on higher soils and pastures. We had frost this past week. Farmers are getting anxious to get started.

TREMPEALEAU-D.D.: Very little progress this week. Not enough drying days in a row to get work done. More Anhydrous pre-plant went down and some manure was hauled. No-till planting is taking place on sandy soils, and some oats were seeded. Action will heat up a bunchtoday.

WAUPACA-L.B.: Alfalfa looks excellent in our area. It is still too wet to do any fieldwork.

WAUSHARA-L.K.: Alfalfa and wheat came through the winter in excellent condition. Spring work is progressing rather slowly due to rain and snow on Monday. A few farmers started to plant corn, but it is too cold and wet for most.

CALUMET-B.L.: We had winter wheat injury on our lower flatter fields. More alfalfa damage was noted in our older 3-4 year old stands and on heavier, more poorly drained soils and on those fields that had a late season cut due to our summer drought last year. Many farmers took the later stands to meet forage needs. Later-planted wheat is coming along, but seems further behind than usual as compared to wheat planted in our optimum window of September 15-25th.

IOWA-S.M.: Most of the alfalfa is good. Winter wheat is starting to grow. It is too cold and wet to plant corn. Lots of acreage has not been touched.

DANE-J.K.: Alfalfa is out of dormancy and looks excellent. It is growing rapidly on warm days. It looks very green. There is no winterkill here. Winter conditions have put spring planting in low gear. Some corn has been planted. There have not been any soybeans planted as of yet.

DODGE-G.R.: Some lower fields are now showing bare spots where snow and ice was last to thaw. Spring is here, but wet weather and super-saturated soils have been an impediment to planting. Upside is that alfalfa generally looks very good in most areas. Weeds have a good start too.

KENOSHA-J.H.: Winter wheat has some winterkill.

WASHINGTON-R.B.: Alfalfa is 6.0 inches tall and looks good. Winter wheat is 3.0 feet tall and a little thin. We received 3.0 inches of rain. Some high land wasplanted to corn. Rain on Friday morning stopped all work. Maybe will try to plant on Sunday. Weeds are bad.

For climate normals and growing season data for a specific Wisconsin county, first go to our Wisconsin County Home Page, then select your county, then click on the Climate Table link in the left margin for that county.

Current Crop Report with Graphics | Usual Planting and Harvesting Dates