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2/2/2010 9:56:13 AM

Nebraska Weather and Crop Report

Agricultural Summary: For the month of January 2010, above normal temperatures during the second and third weeks of the month brought some relief to livestock producers struggling to feed and care for livestock, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Nebraska Field Office. Precipitation was light during January with much of the western two-thirds of the state receiving less than .25 inch. Snow depth was also limited in the western two thirds of the State, however, a foot or more was still being reported in portions of the northeast. Livestock care and marketing grain were the main activities during the month.

This release is based on data from FSA county directors, county extension educators, NOAA, and the High Plains Regional Climate Center. County comments and reports can be found at: http://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Nebraska/Publications/Crop_Progress_&_Condition/index

Weather Summary: Average snow depth at the end of January was 3 inches statewide, less than half of the eight inches reported at the beginning of the month. However, snow depth varied widely by region. Temperatures averaged below normal the first and fourth weeks of the month and above normal during the middle. During the last week of the month, soil temperatures ranged from 26 degrees in the extreme northwest to 32 degrees in parts of the southeast and east central counties.

Field Crops Report: Wheat conditions statewide rated 0 percent very poor, 6 poor, 39 fair, 51 good, and 4 excellent, below last year. Hay and forage supplies rated 1 percent very short, 13 short, 83 adequate, and 3 excellent, were also below a year ago.

Livestock, Pasture, and Range Report: Cattle and Calves condition rated 0 percent very poor, 3 poor, 28 fair, 66 good, and 3 excellent, below last year.

The following are comments from Nebraska’s FSA County Executive Directors and County Extension Educators:

NORTHWEST

SCOTTSBLUFF/MORRILL: Some concern about corn in storage on the ground. Tops of piles are heating up and turning black.

NORTHEAST

ANTELOPE: There has been some snow melt and some harvesting has been possible.

BOONE: Bitter cold making it hard for farmers feeding cattle.

CEDAR: Snow and blowing snow have been a problem for livestock care. Most, if not all, of the normal crop feeding residue is covered under snow. Some small calves were lost during the early January storm with temperatures dropping down to 27 below zero.

DIXON: Producers continue to move 2009 farm stored grain to markets with on-going concerns about excess moisture and condition. Cow-calf producers continue to feed more hay then expected due to the snow cover and limited access to harvested fields.

KNOX: Cattle have been stressed with the tough weather. Feed supplies will be nip and tuck.

THURSTON: Excess snow, blizzard conditions, ice storms, power outages, and cold weather have all taken their toll on livestock.

CENTRAL

BUFFALO: Cold weather and snow have forced cattle producers to feed cattle in the stalks more forage and has reduced supply. General cow condition has declined over the past month. Warmer, drier weather has allowed some more of the corn to be harvested.

EAST CENTRAL

DODGE: No more corn has been harvested because of the snow. Some instances the corn is getting moldy in the fields.

DOUGLAS: Still lots of snow and really cold.

MERRICK: The continued cold temps have taken a toll on all livestock. Weight gains are down and overall condition of cows about to calve are not great. A couple of producers have reported the calves are weaker when born with not much stamina.

NANCE: Several producers have reported death losses in calves born from Christmas through mid-January.

SAUNDERS: Piled snow still stands in much of the county. Many with cattle on stalks have supplemented hay.

YORK: Snow depth varies greatly depending upon drifts, but much has disappeared.

SOUTHWEST

LINCOLN: Calving has started. We still have a few corn fields that haven't been harvested yet but there has been progress.

RED WILLOW: The weather has been favorable and much of the unharvested corn in the area is now harvested or being harvested.

SOUTH CENTRAL

FRANKLIN: Hay is still adequate for now. Since the snow has cleared cattle are able to get into the stalks. We certainly have used more hay to date than farmers had planned for. Cattle went into the pastures at a lower score and with the blizzards, snow, and extreme cold, cattle are stressed. We have not heard of a lot of livestock deaths.

PHELPS: Calving has just started in the area. Weather conditions have been better although cold. Wet conditions due to frozen ground and cold weather have made calving a little difficult.

WEBSTER: Cold weather and snow have taken a toll on the cattle which is reflected in the condition report. Stalks are just now starting to be able to be utilized again due to the snow melt. Some corn still in the field and will be there for a while yet as the drifts are still quite deep in those areas.

SOUTHEAST

JOHNSON: There were concerns early in the month about declining feed supplies; difficulty getting feed to livestock due to snow; additional fuel expense hauling feed to livestock, and clearing snow. Snow melted and livestock are back out gleaning stalks. There were several livestock deaths caused by the storms.