Precipitation
After consecutive years of drought, some areas of Texas are now breaking records for the wettest May ever. With most of their crop left to plant, it’s forcing farmers to make some tough decisions and crop changes.
High water levels and flooding are starting to ease on the upper Mississippi River which is allowing locks to reopen and barge traffic to resume.
Farmers in the Southern Plains are finally starting to see much-needed moisture hit their fields. It may be too late for winter wheat, but it’s a hopeful sign for those needing the rain to even plant summer crops.
Dry conditions spurred by La Nina weighed on areas of the Corn Belt in 2022. As La Nina fades, and El Nino starts to make a return, meteorologists say the weather shift could also signal better crop production in 2023.
“We keep a close eye on reservoirs, and they’re looking promising at the moment,” Matt Comrey says. “But the jury’s still out.”
Farmers across South Dakota and eastern Iowa are breathing a sigh of relief into the weekend. That’s after rains hit parched crops, relieving some major crop stress for now.
Gated tile systems can help deal with troublesome issues.
Some parts of Colorado, Kansas and Nebraska saw precipitation this past week, but dry weather prevails in many areas.
Kirk Heinz and Michael Clark of BAMWX.com validated those fears on an episode of AgriTalk this week.