Not Much Progress in Wisconsin Fields
Tuesday, April 9th, 2019 -- 9:53 AM
(Wisconsin Ag Connection) -With just 1.7 days suitable for fieldwork during the past week, some farmers in the southern region of the state slowly got into the fields to start spring field work.The Wisconsin Ag Statistics Service issued its second crop/progress report of the year on Monday, which noted temperatures ranged from the 40s to 60s with a mix of sun, clouds and light rain. Soil conditions remained too wet and cold for planting across most of the state, though manure applications were ongoing where fields could support machinery. Pastures and overwintered crops were just beginning to green up in some areas but remained dormant in others. A few reporters in southern Wisconsin noted the first seedings of oats and alfalfa had begun on well-drained soils.
However, little fieldwork was possible in the north due to partially frozen ground, mud and standing water. Snow and high winds forecast for the coming week raised concerns for spring calving and farm structures already damaged by heavy snow in February and March. As of Sunday, spring tillage was one percent complete statewide, equal to last year and the five-year average. Reporters comments that only the best-drained fields were being worked. Oats planted were reported as one percent complete, the same progress as last year.
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