MONROE - Area farmers are thankful for the rain, but now they need some warmer temperatures and dryer conditions to get into the field and start planting.
Green County Farm Services Agency Director Teresa Zimmer said rain always is welcome but farmers need a change in the weather to get their crops in the ground.
"We could use a few weeks of dry, warm weather," Zimmer said.
Last week's warm temperatures in the daytime were good for farmers, but the cooler evenings make it difficult for the soil to warm up, she said.
Green County agriculture agent Mark Mayer said the 2 to 3 inches of rain that fell over the weekend put farmers behind a little, but not enough that they need to worry.
"It's a pretty normal spring," Mayer said. "I would say we're on schedule."
There has been some flooding in area fields and that has prevented farmers from planting.
Farmers with larger machinery can easily make up for several days lost because of rain, Mayer said.
Mayer estimated that between 15 percent and 20 percent of the corn crop has been planted.
"Generally, farmers finish planting corn between April 30 and May 3," Mayer said. "After that there will be some yield loss."
One positive from the recent rains is the fact the soil is moist as farmers start out the planting season. Mayer said some areas of the county have a surplus of moisture in the soil, but the rest of the county has adequate moisture.
Green County is a little ahead of planting when compared to the rest of the state.
According to the Associated Press, the National Agricultural Statistics Service, or NASS, reported much of the corn planted in Wisconsin this spring has been in the southwestern portion of the state. Farmers in the northern and west central areas of the state are still waiting for the soil to warm up.
About 6 percent of the state's corn has been planted so far.
The Statistics Service reported that nearly 60 percent of the state's oats are planted.
Zimmer estimated that about 95 percent of the oats have been planted in Green County.
Green County Farm Services Agency Director Teresa Zimmer said rain always is welcome but farmers need a change in the weather to get their crops in the ground.
"We could use a few weeks of dry, warm weather," Zimmer said.
Last week's warm temperatures in the daytime were good for farmers, but the cooler evenings make it difficult for the soil to warm up, she said.
Green County agriculture agent Mark Mayer said the 2 to 3 inches of rain that fell over the weekend put farmers behind a little, but not enough that they need to worry.
"It's a pretty normal spring," Mayer said. "I would say we're on schedule."
There has been some flooding in area fields and that has prevented farmers from planting.
Farmers with larger machinery can easily make up for several days lost because of rain, Mayer said.
Mayer estimated that between 15 percent and 20 percent of the corn crop has been planted.
"Generally, farmers finish planting corn between April 30 and May 3," Mayer said. "After that there will be some yield loss."
One positive from the recent rains is the fact the soil is moist as farmers start out the planting season. Mayer said some areas of the county have a surplus of moisture in the soil, but the rest of the county has adequate moisture.
Green County is a little ahead of planting when compared to the rest of the state.
According to the Associated Press, the National Agricultural Statistics Service, or NASS, reported much of the corn planted in Wisconsin this spring has been in the southwestern portion of the state. Farmers in the northern and west central areas of the state are still waiting for the soil to warm up.
About 6 percent of the state's corn has been planted so far.
The Statistics Service reported that nearly 60 percent of the state's oats are planted.
Zimmer estimated that about 95 percent of the oats have been planted in Green County.