Depending on where they are harvesting their wheat, do not be shocked if you see a farmer praying for rain. Farmers statewide are about 26 percent complete with this year’s wheat harvest, with  85 percent of the crop rated as good to excellent. Rio Creek Feed Mill agronomist Adam Barta says the lack of timely rains caused wheat fields in shallower soils to suffer more than others. Despite the lack of help from Mother Nature, Barta added that the wheat brought to their facilities has overall looked good and says corn is following suit.

Farmers will likely get what they want over the next seven days with rain in the forecast on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday. One thing Barta is watching for again this year is the appearance of tar spots on the corn, which is a sign of disease for the plant. It has been discovered in the southern part of the state again this year, and tar spots affected several fields in Kewaunee County last year. Barta says they are still learning about the disease and the best ways to limit its impact.