Wisconsin had 5.7 days suitable for fieldwork statewide for the week ending May 18, 2025, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Dry conditions through most of the week enabled continued planting progress across the state, while warm weather spurred on emergence.
Topsoil moisture condition rated 4 percent very short, 17 percent short, 70 percent adequate and 9 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 4 percent very short, 19 percent short, 70 percent adequate and 7 percent surplus.
Corn planting was 73 percent complete, 5 days ahead of last year and 3 days ahead of the 5-year average. Corn emergence was 23 percent complete.
Soybeans were 66 percent planted, 5 days ahead of last year and 4 days ahead of the average. Soybeans were 19 percent emerged.
Oat planting was 82 percent complete. Oats were 48 percent emerged, 2 days behind last year and 1 day behind the average. The first oat condition rated 0 percent very poor, 1 percent poor, 15 percent fair, 65 percent good and 19 percent excellent.
Potato planting reached 84 percent complete, 2 days ahead of both last year and average.
The first cutting of alfalfa hay was 5 percent complete. All hay condition was 78 percent good to excellent, 3 percentage points above last week.
Spring tillage was 86 percent complete, 6 days ahead of last year and 3 days ahead of the average.
Winter wheat fields were 6 percent headed. Winter wheat condition rated 66 percent good to excellent, up a percentage point from last week.
Pasture and range condition was rated 65 percent good to excellent, up 3 percentage points from last week.
