MONROE - Like a lot of people, farmers want a few dry days with warm temperatures.
Area farmers have had to fight a long winter with record snowfalls and now rains that make fields soggy in most places and flooded in others.
Low-lying fields along the Sugar and Pecatonica rivers, as well as streams have been invaded by water. In some areas along the Sugar River near Brodhead, it's difficult to see where the river ends and the fields begin.
Alan Devoe, who farms on Twin Grove Road, south of Monroe, estimated he's 10 days to two weeks behind on spring planting. He said in the past he would have 100 acres of corn planted by now.
If the weather is warm and dry, Devoe can get out in the fields. It still might take a little while before some of the ground is ready to be planted, he said.
"The low ground will take a while to dry," Devoe said.
Green County Farm Services Agency Director Teresa Zimmer said some farmers are worried about field conditions, but it's too early in the season to be concerned.
"They think they should have some crops planted by now, but statistically it's still early," Zimmer said. "It just seems to them that they should be out in the fields because it's April 14."
Lafayette County Farm Services Agency Director Monica Yates-Olsen said farmers in Lafayette County are biding their time until the weather turns warm and dry enough to be out in the fields.
"I really haven't heard a lot of concerns yet," she said.
Devoe said what concerns him is that the ground will stay wet and plants won't develop a strong root system to stand off summer weather.
"If the plants don't have good roots, they won't be able to make it if we have a dry summer," Devoe said. "There's an old saying 'Plant in the dust and the bins will bust.'"
Zimmer said some upper fields might be ready for planting within a few dry days, but farmers don't need any more rain.
Temperatures are expected to reach 70 degrees by Wednesday, but more rain is predicted for Wednesday night through Friday, according to the National Weather Service.
Area farmers have had to fight a long winter with record snowfalls and now rains that make fields soggy in most places and flooded in others.
Low-lying fields along the Sugar and Pecatonica rivers, as well as streams have been invaded by water. In some areas along the Sugar River near Brodhead, it's difficult to see where the river ends and the fields begin.
Alan Devoe, who farms on Twin Grove Road, south of Monroe, estimated he's 10 days to two weeks behind on spring planting. He said in the past he would have 100 acres of corn planted by now.
If the weather is warm and dry, Devoe can get out in the fields. It still might take a little while before some of the ground is ready to be planted, he said.
"The low ground will take a while to dry," Devoe said.
Green County Farm Services Agency Director Teresa Zimmer said some farmers are worried about field conditions, but it's too early in the season to be concerned.
"They think they should have some crops planted by now, but statistically it's still early," Zimmer said. "It just seems to them that they should be out in the fields because it's April 14."
Lafayette County Farm Services Agency Director Monica Yates-Olsen said farmers in Lafayette County are biding their time until the weather turns warm and dry enough to be out in the fields.
"I really haven't heard a lot of concerns yet," she said.
Devoe said what concerns him is that the ground will stay wet and plants won't develop a strong root system to stand off summer weather.
"If the plants don't have good roots, they won't be able to make it if we have a dry summer," Devoe said. "There's an old saying 'Plant in the dust and the bins will bust.'"
Zimmer said some upper fields might be ready for planting within a few dry days, but farmers don't need any more rain.
Temperatures are expected to reach 70 degrees by Wednesday, but more rain is predicted for Wednesday night through Friday, according to the National Weather Service.