Wisconsin Ag Connection - More Than Half the Corn, Third of Soybeans Now Planted

Wisconsin Ag News Headlines

More Than Half the Corn, Third of Soybeans Now Planted
Wisconsin Ag Connection - 05/22/2018

With parts of Wisconsin getting an entire week of sunshine, farmers were able to take advantage of the weather last week to get caught up on their spring planting activity. The state's agriculture department noted in its latest crop report that soils were getting dry in a lot of areas; though the southeastern district was particularly wet.

Statewide topsoil moisture levels were reported at six percent short, 78 percent adequate and 16 percent surplus.

As of Sunday, 69 percent of the spring tillage was done across Wisconsin, about six days behind last year and three days slower than normal.

Corn planting was 56 percent complete, which was a half-week behind average. Reporters say 21 percent of the crop has already emerged.

Thirty-three percent of the soybean acres have also been seeded. That's actually three days ahead of last year, but one day behind the five-year trend.

And 67 percent of the oats have been put into the ground--nine days behind last year and a week slower than average.

Meanwhile, the summary did indicate that a few alfalfa fields have been mowed already. It's estimated that only two-percent of the state's alfalfa hay suffered significant freeze damage, with 82 percent showing no winter kill effects at all.

Other Wisconsin Headlines