Wisconsin Farmers Begin Spring Planting Amid Mixed Soil Conditions
Wisconsin farmers had 3.3 days suitable for fieldwork in the week ending April 13, 2025, the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service reported. Frost lingered in northern areas, and wet topsoil slowed progress, but central and southern regions saw spring tillage and early crop planting.
Topsoil moisture was rated 2% very short, 15% short, 65% adequate, and 18% surplus. Subsoil moisture stood at 3% very short, 20% short, 59% adequate, and 18% surplus. Farmers applied manure and fertilizer where conditions allowed.
Oat planting reached 7% completion, trailing last year by two days and the five-year average by three. Potato planting began, hitting 2% completion. Spring tillage was 8% complete, three days behind last year and two days behind the average.
Pasture and range conditions were rated 12% very poor, 24% poor, 40% fair, 22% good, and 2% excellent. Winter wheat was 1% very poor, 7% poor, 46% fair, 42% good, and 4% excellent.
Temperature and Precipitation Maps, courtesy of the Midwestern Regional Climate Center, are available here.
Additional soil moisture data are available here.
