Thanks to Mother Nature, you can expect to see green fields after the harvest and hopefully before the first snowflakes fly.

Planting cover crops like winter wheat and triticale has become a fall staple for area farmers as a way to control erosion and promote good soil health. According to the Wisconsin Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection, cover crop usage increased by 42% in 2025, covering more than 350,000 acres across the state. That helped prevent more than 661,000 tons of soil erosion on farm fields.

While some farmers were able to get their cover crops growing ahead of the first frost, others were not as fortunate. With many farmers making quick work of their corn silage harvest, Rio Creek agronomist Adam Barta says you should expect to see more green fields locally this year as farmers were able to plant their cover crops sooner.

According to the USDA Crop Progress and Condition Report, winter wheat planting is on par with the five-year average.

With more farm equipment on the roads, drivers are advised to use extra caution where equipment may be entering and exiting fields, allow plenty of time and space when turning or passing, and watch for lights, flashers, and slow-moving vehicle emblems.