The scattered rain showers predicted for next week may force your plans to change, but they will be welcomed with open arms by the area’s farmers.

According to the latest crop progress report from the United States Department of Agriculture for the state of Wisconsin, the corn condition was 44 percent good to excellent, which is up two percent from last week thanks to some rain the area has experienced over the last seven to ten days. That is still down from where it was at the same time in 2022 (76 percent good to excellent), 2021 (75 percent), and 2020 (79 percent).  The only year where that indicator was below 70 percent at this time in the last 10 years was 2019 when only 55 percent of the corn crop was rated good to excellent as farmers were close to two weeks behind planting due to wet conditions.

The reason why the corn crop is rated so poorly is the lack of rain the area has received in the last several weeks. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, Kewaunee County and much of southern Door County are considered to be in moderate drought, while northern Door County is considered abnormally dry. For farmers, Nathen Nysse from Tilth Agronomy and Peninsula Pride Farms says you have to pay attention to the weeds and cover crops in your fields that are competing with your cash crops for the limited moisture that is in the ground.

Between May 8th and June 8th, the U.S. Drought Monitor shows that only 1988 was drier in the last 130-plus years. Next week could spell good news for farmers with at least a 30 percent chance of rain seven times over the next two weeks.