Planting Tractors Were in High Gear During Past Week

Wisconsin Ag Connection - With 5.6 days suitable for fieldwork last week, farmers waisted no time hitting the fields in an attempt to get caught up with their spring planting. The week brought unseasonably warm temperatures to the entire state, averaging 13.8 degrees above normal. Periodic rainstorms later in the week delayed some fieldwork in the northern part of the state, but many farmers were able to make significant progress on planting and tillage.

Topsoil moisture condition levels were rated two percent very short, 11 percent short, 74 percent adequate and 13 percent surplus.

As of Sunday, spring tillage was reported as 57 percent complete. That was more than two weeks behind last year, but just five days behind normal for mid-may.

Just over a third of the corn planting is finished--10 days slower than the 2021 season, and just five days days average. Reporters say three percent of the corn has already emerged.

Farmers also have 26 percent of their soybeans in the ground. And oats continue to run behind at just 54 percent planted.

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