Posted: 06.01.2011

Plenty of Wisconsin farmers still challenged by weather are facing some tough decisions in the next few days on planting decisions.

For many growers - they're now going to have to pay attention to prevented planting deadlines for corn, and make decisions on whether they'll still plant that crop or something else.  There's been progress in field work - but the state still lags behind the five year average.

According to the Wisconsin Ag Statistical Service, over Memorial weekend the state had about 80 percent of the corn planted when normally 92 percent would be in.  Of the corn that was planted, 39 percent had emerged. 

50 percent of Wisconsin's soybeans were planted and about 12 percent of that crop had emerged.

The abnormally cool temperatures the Badger state experienced last week though did not go un-noticed.  Many cranberry growers and strawberry patch owners said their crops had been stung by temperatures in the 30's.  No hard estimates of actual damage done - or potential financial loss because of the weather.

Warm weather was still the missing components for a lot of farmers.  The state's apple crop needs warm weather to get bees really active on blossoms.  And warmer weather was expected to accelerate the states alfalfa crop from pre-bud growth, to the ideal stage of maturity for first cutting.  Statewide, reporters said there was about 7 percent of the alfalfa that had already been harvested.

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