Rain Continues to Hamper Farmers Work in the Fields Across Wisconsin

Saturday, May 3rd, 2025 -- 9:00 AM

(Blake Jackson, Wisconsin Ag Connection) Wisconsin farmers faced another week of rain, limiting fieldwork opportunities for the week ending April 27, 2025.

According to Blake Jackson with the Wisconsin Ag Connection, the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service reported that only 3.3 days were suitable for field activities.

Despite the wet conditions, farmers managed to carry out some essential tasks such as manure application, tillage, and planting when possible. Topsoil moisture across the state was 1% very short, 10% short, 65% adequate, and 24% surplus.

Subsoil moisture was similarly varied, with 3% rated very short, 14% short, 66% adequate, and 17% surplus. Planting progress remained slow due to the persistent rain, with corn planting at 4%, soybeans at 6%, and oats at 26%.

Oat planting was 4 days behind last year and 2 days behind the five-year average, with 3% of oats emerged. Potato planting reached 41%, 4 days behind last year but slightly ahead of the average.

Spring tillage, at 26%, lagged behind, being 5 days behind last year and 3 days behind the average. On a positive note, pasture conditions improved, with 37% rated good to excellent, a 10-point increase from the previous week.

Winter wheat also showed improvement, with 58% rated good to excellent, up 6 points from the prior week.

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