Last Week's Warm Weather Helped Farmers Get in the Field

Wednesday, May 18th, 2022 -- 10:01 AM

(Wisconsin Ag Connection & USAgNet) With 5.6 days suitable for fieldwork last week, farmers wasted no time hitting the fields in an attempt to get caught up with their spring planting.

According to the Wisconsin Ag Connection, 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.

Nationally, Fieldwork shifted into high gear this past week, with the amount of corn planted in 18 selected states rising to 49% and soybeans to 30% after lagging significantly behind the average pace over the past five years.

Those averages for this point in the season are 67% for corn and 39% for soybeans, according to today's Crop Progress Report, by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Quality measurement for these two crops ordinarily begins in June.

The condition of the winter wheat crop lost ground, meanwhile, with 27% rated in either good or excellent condition. As for spring wheat, just under 49% of the crop has been planted compared to a five-year average of 67%.

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