Posted: 05.03.2011

I know it's beginning to sound like a broken record - but remember how much work Wisconsin farmers had already accomplished by this time last year?  Well - this year that's just a memory.

The latest update from the Wisconsin Ag Statistical Service shows that cool, wet weather is continuing to slow not only Wisconsin farmers down - but all farmers!  In the state, just one percent of the corn crop was planted as of Sunday - mostly on high ground in the west central portion of the state.  Ag officials say normally the state would have about 23 percent of that crop in the ground.

There was a little progress on oat seedings.  As of Sunday survey results showed that 7 percent of that crop had been planted - despite wet field conditions.  Most of the oats had been planted in the southern third of the state.

Wisconsin farmers aren't the only ones lamenting the slow start.  Nationwide as of Sunday, USDA says only 13 percent of the nation's corn was planted.  Traders in Chicago had expected that number to be more like 15-20 percent.  Historically, USDA says major corn producing states would have 40 percent of the corn planted.  By this time last year - the 18 major corn producing states, including Wisconsin, had 60 percent of the corn already in the ground.

Mark Weihing, account manager with Pioneer covering west central Wisconsin, tells the Wisconsin Farm Report that they're noticing more spotty damage to winter wheat fields.  Weihing says that standing water has really impacted some fields - to the point where growers may want to just plow the fields under and opt for corn if possible. 

Many reporters to the Wisconsin Ag Statistical Service said the state's alfalfa fields were still needing heat to really snap out of their winter snooze.

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