Posted: 04.12.2011

Most Wisconsin farmers would probably agree that the spring weather they enjoyed last year was the exception not the rule.  Looks like "the rule" is back.

The latest from the Wisconsin Ag Statistical Service showed that just 3 percent of the state's spring tillage work was completed as of Sunday.  Farmers noted that although frost was out of most fields - wet conditions just didn't allow for much work to be completed.  Last year at this time, 20 percent of the spring field work had already been completed.  Right now, Wisconsin farmers are even a little off their 5-year average of 6 percent completed field preparation.

Not all field activities are at a standstill.  Many reporters noted spring manure spreading, some spring fertilizer being spread by agribusiness partners - and even a little oat planting did happen.  Statewide 3 percent of the spring oats are in the ground - waiting for it to warm up.
Any field activities were only happening on high fields with good drainage.

Most reporters also said it was a little to early to pass judgement on how the winter wheat and alfalfa were shaping up after the long winter.  In areas with south-facing slopes, where some of the crop was greening up - most reporters said it looked like the crops came through the winter with minimal damage.

Everyone agreed it's just the beginning of what's going to be a busy spring.

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