Drought conditions hurting wheat crop
Posted: Wednesday, May 24, 2006
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) -- Nebraska needs soaking.
The southwestern part of the state is in the worst shape, but the Panhandle is also dry. Southwest Nebraska has seen little rain and high temperatures in April and May, and June looks to be hot as well.
In the southwest, light rains early Tuesday rescued May from being the driest on record, said meteorologist Brian Hirsch with the National Weather Service in North Platte. Storms also were in the forecast for Tuesday night.
"If eastern Nebraska gets an inch or more rainfall over the next week, a lot of short-term concerns will be alleviated," said Al Dutcher, state climatologist. "However, once it goes dry again, we'll be revisiting these same issues in a couple of weeks."
The major problems are in southwestern Nebraska. Doug Anderson, extension educator in Perkins, Keith and Arthur counties, said a dry April and May were rough on wheat crops in the area.
"I don't think we're in as good a condition as we were last year," he said.
Last year, more rain in April and May put parts of Nebraska in better shape, said Brian Fuchs, climatologist with the National Drought Mitigation Center.
This year, a late snowstorm in March did bring relief to parts of the state.
"That saved us from being in a pretty serious situation going into the agricultural season," Fuchs said.
Still, wheat crops in southwestern Nebraska and the Panhandle face a tough road.
"We'll probably see some reduced yields due to the dryness," Fuchs said.
The National Weather Service forecast calls for above normal temperatures in June with normal rainfall, Hirsch said. The heat especially needs to be offset by additional rain, he said.
"Warmer conditions can wick away whatever precipitation you do get," Hirsch said.
As the summer goes on, more normal temperatures are likely, with normal levels of precipitation, Hirsch said.
As corn and soy beans are planted, rain will be even more important, because the young crops don't have the reserves to fend off such dry conditions, Anderson said.
Nebraskans have seen little reprieve from drought, although things aren't as grim as they once were. In 2002, all 93 counties were declared federal disaster areas primarily because of drought. In 2003, 92 counties received the designation. In 2004, that was down to 54 counties, and last year just 14 were declared disaster areas, and not always for drought.
In the meantime, farmers and ranchers are watching forecasts closely.
"I think they're just resigned," Anderson said. "There's not much optimism out there. I don't think they're pessimistic, I think they're realistic."
The southwestern part of the state is in the worst shape, but the Panhandle is also dry. Southwest Nebraska has seen little rain and high temperatures in April and May, and June looks to be hot as well.
In the southwest, light rains early Tuesday rescued May from being the driest on record, said meteorologist Brian Hirsch with the National Weather Service in North Platte. Storms also were in the forecast for Tuesday night.
"If eastern Nebraska gets an inch or more rainfall over the next week, a lot of short-term concerns will be alleviated," said Al Dutcher, state climatologist. "However, once it goes dry again, we'll be revisiting these same issues in a couple of weeks."
The major problems are in southwestern Nebraska. Doug Anderson, extension educator in Perkins, Keith and Arthur counties, said a dry April and May were rough on wheat crops in the area.
"I don't think we're in as good a condition as we were last year," he said.
Last year, more rain in April and May put parts of Nebraska in better shape, said Brian Fuchs, climatologist with the National Drought Mitigation Center.
This year, a late snowstorm in March did bring relief to parts of the state.
"That saved us from being in a pretty serious situation going into the agricultural season," Fuchs said.
Still, wheat crops in southwestern Nebraska and the Panhandle face a tough road.
"We'll probably see some reduced yields due to the dryness," Fuchs said.
The National Weather Service forecast calls for above normal temperatures in June with normal rainfall, Hirsch said. The heat especially needs to be offset by additional rain, he said.
"Warmer conditions can wick away whatever precipitation you do get," Hirsch said.
As the summer goes on, more normal temperatures are likely, with normal levels of precipitation, Hirsch said.
As corn and soy beans are planted, rain will be even more important, because the young crops don't have the reserves to fend off such dry conditions, Anderson said.
Nebraskans have seen little reprieve from drought, although things aren't as grim as they once were. In 2002, all 93 counties were declared federal disaster areas primarily because of drought. In 2003, 92 counties received the designation. In 2004, that was down to 54 counties, and last year just 14 were declared disaster areas, and not always for drought.
In the meantime, farmers and ranchers are watching forecasts closely.
"I think they're just resigned," Anderson said. "There's not much optimism out there. I don't think they're pessimistic, I think they're realistic."
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