As the last crops are harvested this season in Door and Kewaunee Counties, the lasting impact of the struggles will be felt for years to come. Farmers were forced to operate heavy machinery on wet fields this fall just so they could harvest anything for their operations and if they were lucky, plant cover crops for the upcoming year. The efforts led to soil compaction, which Kewaunee County UW-Extension Agent Aerica Bjurstrom says is not good for the long-term health of the field.

Bjurstrom says farmers did not have much of a choice, but fears it will be close to 10 years before some area fields recover from the impact of this year’s harvest.