Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade & Consumer Protection
Periodic rainfall during the week benefited crop establishment but slowed seasonal fieldwork across much of the state. An advancing low pressure system on Monday brought an end to the weekend warm spell, and below-normal temperatures with light to locally moderate showers lingered throughout the week. The rain boosted early-season soil moisture for emerging summer crops and eased concerns about short-term dryness in southern and central Wisconsin, but the wet weather delayed completion of spring tillage and stalled corn and soybean planting. After last week’s favorable conditions allowed producers to make double-digit planting gains, statewide planting progress remains well ahead of average. Corn planting advanced 34 percentage points to 56% complete during the week ending May 8, five points behind last year but 28 points ahead of the 5-year average. Soybean planting increased 16 points to 18% complete, 12 points ahead of the 5-year average. To view the full pest bulletin issue, please follow the link below: