Planting Progress – Nothing Substantial

The weekend only provided a few glimmers of friendly April weather. Definitely not enough to make up for cold, wet conditions that are supposed to persist this week.

The latest Wisconsin Crop Progress report showed little measurable movement in field duties.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 1 percent very short, 8 percent short, 66 percent adequate and 25 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 1 percent very short, 12 percent short, 70 percent adequate and 17 percent surplus.

Spring tillage was reported as 8 percent complete, almost 3 weeks behind last year and 11 days behind the 5- year average.

Oats planted was reported as 8 percent complete, 18 days behind last year and 12 days behind the average.

Potato planting was reported as 13 percent complete, 1 week behind last year and 2 days behind the average.

Winter wheat condition was rated 68 percent good to excellent statewide, up 7 percentage points from last week.

Pasture condition was rated 41 percent good to excellent, up 3 percentage points from last week.

Wisconsin is not alone with its wet, cold weather. Portions of Iowa, Illinois and Indiana are expecting freeze warnings for most of this week. Field activity has been minimal in those areas too. The bigger threat to the abnormally cold weather expected this week might be on our fruit orchards and buds/blossoms that became exposed over the weekend.