‘It’ll affect the yields’: Flooded fields delay planting season; farmers warn more rain could hurt crop profits
MUKWONAGO, Wis. (CBS 58) -- Farmers across southeast Wisconsin are dealing with more than just a wet start to spring.
Flooding from recent heavy rain is already creating problems, and more rain in the forecast could make conditions even worse.
Fields remain soaked after days of steady rainfall, putting farmers behind schedule just as planting season gets underway.
At Schuett Farms in Mukwonago, owner Rob Schuett says, “We had almost five inches out here, and two inches the week before that, so everything was saturated.”
That standing water is keeping equipment out of the fields at a critical time.
“The ground’s so wet that we can't get on with the equipment to plant the crops, and this is crop planting time,” Schuett said.
Even though there are a few dry spots, Schuett says it’s not enough to begin planting. Farmers need entire fields to dry out before they can safely bring in machinery.
“If it continues to rain like it sounds like it may, that will put it off even longer,” he said. “We do get to a point where if we’re out of the fields too long, and can't get started planting, then you start to worry that it’ll affect the yields.”
Those delays could have a ripple effect beyond pumpkins. Crops like corn and soybeans may also take a hit, adding financial pressure for farmers already investing heavily in their fields.
“A lot of inputs go into producing that crop, so you got a lot of money tied into it and you hope to get your money out and get a little bit of a profit,” Schuett said. “Now we’re up against the weather, so it’s making it tough, it's starting out tough.”
For now, farmers are waiting for Mother Nature to show grace.
“We just hope that it straightens out and the forecasters can deliver us some dry weather for a couple weeks,” Schuett said.