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. Reports of ice buildup in some grain bins. Farmers are aerating grain now with the warmer temperatures. Very little standing crops are left in the fields. There is some corn left in the field.