MONROE - Spring planting is well ahead of schedule in Wisconsin, thanks to a warm April.
"Maybe this is payback for last spring," Green County ag agent Mark Mayer joked, referring to last year's cold and wet spring. "We've been lucky this year."
According to the Associated Press, state farmers have planted half of their corn crop. A year ago at this time, just 15 percent of corn was in the ground.
Mayer estimated about 90 percent of Green County's corn crop has been planted. He said about half of the county's soybean crop was also planted.
"We're ahead of schedule by a couple of weeks," Mayer said.
This is the first time in his years with University of Wisconsin-Extension that he's seen corn popping out of the ground in April, he added.
"This is the earliest spring I've seen," he said. "The trees are leafing out earlier than usual and the lilacs are out earlier than normal."
Corn that's planted earlier produce higher yields, he said.
Mayer said winds and warmer temperatures in April helped dry out the ground to make it easier for farmers to get into their fields. The area also received enough rain needed for crops.
"This was a really nice April," Mayer said. "It's been an ideal spring."
Soil temperatures are also warmer than normal, which is good for planting, he added.
The alfalfa crop is also ahead of schedule, and that will increase yields for the hay crop.
There are some people concerned about lower temperatures this weekend, but Mayer said the temperatures shouldn't have an impact on crops.
"It would have to be 28 degrees for four hours to do any damage," he said. "I don't think it's going to be that cold."
"Maybe this is payback for last spring," Green County ag agent Mark Mayer joked, referring to last year's cold and wet spring. "We've been lucky this year."
According to the Associated Press, state farmers have planted half of their corn crop. A year ago at this time, just 15 percent of corn was in the ground.
Mayer estimated about 90 percent of Green County's corn crop has been planted. He said about half of the county's soybean crop was also planted.
"We're ahead of schedule by a couple of weeks," Mayer said.
This is the first time in his years with University of Wisconsin-Extension that he's seen corn popping out of the ground in April, he added.
"This is the earliest spring I've seen," he said. "The trees are leafing out earlier than usual and the lilacs are out earlier than normal."
Corn that's planted earlier produce higher yields, he said.
Mayer said winds and warmer temperatures in April helped dry out the ground to make it easier for farmers to get into their fields. The area also received enough rain needed for crops.
"This was a really nice April," Mayer said. "It's been an ideal spring."
Soil temperatures are also warmer than normal, which is good for planting, he added.
The alfalfa crop is also ahead of schedule, and that will increase yields for the hay crop.
There are some people concerned about lower temperatures this weekend, but Mayer said the temperatures shouldn't have an impact on crops.
"It would have to be 28 degrees for four hours to do any damage," he said. "I don't think it's going to be that cold."