NE Weather: Warm and Dry in January

Agricultural Summary:
For  the month of January 2012,  temperatures averaged well above normal while precipitation was well below normal across most of the state, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Nebraska Field Office.  Precipitation was light during January with most areas receiving less than a quarter of an inch of moisture, and at the end of the month, most of the State was free of snow cover.   Topsoil moisture supplies were rated as short to very short across two-thirds of the State and adequate in the remaining counties.  Wheat condition continued well above year ago levels, but declined during the month. Cattle are in good condition with the first calves of the season being born.  Cattle have had access to stalk fields, limiting the need for supplemental feeding.

Weather Summary: 
Below normal precipitation fell during January across most of the state.  This resulted in little or no snow cover at  the end of January.   By  region,  snow cover was  the greatest  in  the northern  third of  the State; however, depth averaged only one  inch.   Little or no snow was on  the ground across most of  the southern two thirds of  the state.  Temperatures averaged 10 or more degrees above normal during the first half of the month. Temperatures averaged three degrees below normal the third week but returned to above normal reading again at the end of January.  During the last week of the month, soil temperatures ranged from 29 to 32 degrees.  

Field Crops Report:  
Wheat conditions statewide rated 0 percent very poor, 3 poor, 32 fair, 61 good, and 4 excellent, well above last year.   Hay and forage supplies rated 0 percent very short, 5 short, 93 adequate and 2 surplus, near year ago levels.

Livestock, Pasture, and Range Report: 
Cattle and Calves condition rated 0 percent very poor, 0 poor, 8 fair, 83 good, and 9 excellent, above last year. 



Current Weather & Crops County Comments
Survey Date: 01/29/2012

BOONE
Very little moisture, warmer than normal conditions and several very windy days during the month.

CEDAR
The very mild weather has left most cattle in corn stalks. Producers are supplementing them with hay and silage. A total of 4 inches of new snow in January has nearly all melted. Most fields are clear of snow. Hay remains in good supply since a very limited amount has been used to feed livestock.

DIXON
The open, mild winter has resulted in an abundance of feed on hand. As a result, cost normally related to the winter months have been held to a minimum. Producers are in the income tax season and preparations are being made for the spring planting season.

DODGE
Dry fertilizer is being applied to crop ground since the mild weather. Also, cattle continue to graze stalks so the hay supply is in good shape. It's been several months since we've had rain or snow. Conditions are dry.

DOUGLAS
Supply of round bales is adequate but small square bales are scarce. Grazing of crop residues has been great.

GAGE
Continued pressure to move hay south. Recent wet snow has wetted surface and halted pasture and fenceland conversion to cropland.

KNOX
Primary activities have been care of livestock, marketing of grain and planning for the next crop season. It has been a great winter for care of livestock but there is uneasy concern about the lack of moisture in the soil profile.

SARPY
Supply of round bales is adequate but small square bales are scarce. Grazing of crop residues has been great.

YORK
We have not received much snow this winter but we are just slightly below normal on precipitation for the Oct 11' to Jan 12' period.