The temperatures in December were below average. There is some snow cover in Red Lake County. Fields with little stubble still show black dirt in patches. Sugarbeet piles are spoiling and this is a major concern of the sugar co-op. With the snow we had in December, the majority of the fields were covered with snow until the last few days with the warmer weather.
Farmers are concerned about availability and price of nitrogen based fertilizers.
After more than a month of extremely cold temperatures and heavy snowfall, conditions have improved greatly. The price of hay and straw still remains high. Livestock conditions have improved along with the better weather in January. Snow cover is adequate for alfalfa and winter wheat. Feed supplies are adequate.