Another Great Week for Farmers in the Fields
Tuesday, May 19th, 2020 -- 9:23 AM
(Wisconsin Ag Connection) -The tractors were busy in the fields once again last week as another long stretch of dry weather helped farmers get their crops planted before the wind and rain arrived on Sunday morning.The Wisconsin Ag Statistics Service said planting progressed rapidly for small grains, corn, soybeans, alfalfa, potatoes and spring vegetables. But the weekly crop report also noted that cold soil temperatures and frosty nights continued to suppress crop development. Topsoil moisture conditions were rated two percent very short, nine percent short, 74 percent adequate and 15 percent surplus. As of Sunday, spring tillage was all but nine percent complete. That was nearly a month ahead of last year's progress and two weeks better than the five-year average.
Farmers have 81 percent of their corn plant--25 days ahead of the 2019 season and 12 days ahead of average. About 15 percent of the corn has emerged. Soybeans were 61 percent complete, 24 days ahead of last year and 12 days ahead of normal. And the oats are also three weeks ahead of the past season at 88 percent complete and 56 percent emerged. Reporters say 69 percent of the winter wheat was rated good to excellent.
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