They lost a day in the fields compared with the previous week, but that was quite all right for area farmers.
According to the USDA Crop Progress and Condition Report, farmers had 5.7 days suitable for fieldwork, down from 6.7 days the previous week. Despite the lost time, corn and soybeans were both more than 95% planted. Corn emergence is right in line with the five-year average at 81%, while soybeans are seven percentage points ahead of the usual pace at 79%.
The first cutting of alfalfa hay is also well ahead of the five-year average, at 70% compared with 63%. Other crops, including oats and winter wheat, are also progressing nicely.
Deer Run Dairy owner Duane Ducat said the rain is coming at the right time.
More rain is in the forecast, with precipitation expected Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.
Ducat is hosting this month’s Peninsula Pride Conservation Conversation on how agricultural waterways can help direct water at 6 p.m. Thursday, weather permitting.
