MONROE - Despite a delayed start to spring weather, local farmers are not worried about being behind in spring planting this year.
Mark Mayer, Green County agricultural agent for the University of Wisconsin Extension, said that while this spring has arrived slightly later than last year's, it has by no means created a crisis yet.
Currently, few crops have been planted this season - mostly oats, which have a tolerance for colder temperatures and wetter soils, Mayer said.
Nathan Strahm, owner of New Glarus custom farming business Strahm Harvesting, said it would be several more weeks before the planting cycle was significantly affected.
"We haven't gotten around to planting alfalfa yet, but we're doing corn and beans okay," Strahm said late last week.
Strahm said that, given the return of warmer weather in the last week, he hopes the soil will be dry enough for full planting within the next 10 days.
Mayer added weather fluctuations are no longer as critical a threat to farming as they were 20 years ago. With modern advances in mechanized farming, planting takes much less time, offering more leeway at the start of the season.
The National Weather Service predicts after a high nearing 80 today, daily high temperatures for Green County will be in the upper 60s this week. Showers are likely Tuesday night through Friday.
Mark Mayer, Green County agricultural agent for the University of Wisconsin Extension, said that while this spring has arrived slightly later than last year's, it has by no means created a crisis yet.
Currently, few crops have been planted this season - mostly oats, which have a tolerance for colder temperatures and wetter soils, Mayer said.
Nathan Strahm, owner of New Glarus custom farming business Strahm Harvesting, said it would be several more weeks before the planting cycle was significantly affected.
"We haven't gotten around to planting alfalfa yet, but we're doing corn and beans okay," Strahm said late last week.
Strahm said that, given the return of warmer weather in the last week, he hopes the soil will be dry enough for full planting within the next 10 days.
Mayer added weather fluctuations are no longer as critical a threat to farming as they were 20 years ago. With modern advances in mechanized farming, planting takes much less time, offering more leeway at the start of the season.
The National Weather Service predicts after a high nearing 80 today, daily high temperatures for Green County will be in the upper 60s this week. Showers are likely Tuesday night through Friday.