Before you see tractors and other vehicles heading to their fields on area roadways, you might find some farmers walking them. The recent spring-like weather has allowed some crops like alfalfa, triticale, and winter wheat to green up, but to what extent is yet to be seen. Ebert Enterprises Conservation Manager Nick Guilette says the lack of snow cover this winter exposed their fields to the elements, including a sub-zero degree stretch in January that he fears may have killed off some of the plants. Before haulers begin to spread manure and operations teams start to plant, Guilette says scout teams have to decide what kinds of changes need to be made to get what they need from the land.

Guilette says farmers need favorable weather to start off on the right foot, unlike last year, when the amount and frequency of rain slowed their progress on planting. Mother Nature is certainly not helping this week, with cool and wet weather expected over the next several days. The Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade, and Consumer Protection encourages farmers to check the Manure Advisory System to assess their run-off risk before spreading on their fields.