Growing season begins in Wisconsin, winter weather concerns subside as growth returns

MADISON, Wis. (WMTV) - After concerns about “winter kill” earlier this year, crops are now regrowing and of good quality as the spring growing season begins.

Farmers planting corn and soybeans are starting their planting now that the ground has reached 50 degrees. Cover crops like alfalfa are also coming back to life after going dormant in the colder months.

Daniel Smith with UW Extension’s integrated pest and crop management says that since February, the temperatures have warmed up and had more precipitation.

WMTV met with Smith in February, where he expressed concerns for the crop with the lack of snow on the ground to insulate the plant, which could result in higher amounts of “winter kill.”

Now the crops are quickly growing thanks to the early spring conditions.

Smith says while conditions may still be drier than ideal, it is better than previous years, where Wisconsin has entered the growing season in drought or near-drought conditions.

According to the Wisconsin State Climatology Office, in south-central Wisconsin, this winter was the 10th driest winter on record.

“We now have a period where we can get all the field work done and have some really great planting dates. For crops, this is going to be unlike the last couple of years,” explained Smith, “We have pretty good soil moisture in our planting zone this year, unlike the last couple of years, which have been pretty dry.”

He now says the crop is doing really well, and there was very limited winter kill this year.

"Our alfalfa is quickly greening up in southern Wisconsin. Small grains have made it through the winter and are thriving really, really nicely," said Smith.

Smith says the recent rain in April and early May helped bring the crops back to life. He says the overwintered crops can soak up the rain through their roots, which accelerates growth. He also says the warmer weather helps.

He says the drier forecast for the next few weeks will also be good for farmers as many will be planting more crops, but they will need timely rain for germination.

Josh Bendorf, Climate Outreach Specialist with the Wisconsin State Climatology Office with the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension, says some farmers are slightly behind schedule for planting due to the heavy amounts of rain the area got in March.

The Wisconsin State Climatology Office says March was the 16th wettest on record, with an inch surplus of precipitation for that month in South-Central Wisconsin.

“It’s taking a little while for the soil to warm up and then with the rains that we’ve been having, it’s been a little too wet to get out in the field,” explained Bendorf, “So at least here in South Central Wisconsin, we typically see corn, soybean planting starting during the latter part of April into the first part of May, so we’re just kind of getting to the time of year where farmers are wanting to get out in the fields.”

Bendorf warns there is still frost and freeze risks in the area, but it is no longer a high probability.

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