National Drought Impacting Wheat Farm

Roughly 1/8 of the U.S. is under some kind of drought designation, and that designation is impacting many in farm country.  USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey said the number one commodity impacted right now, hard red winter wheat across central and high Southern plains.

“Talking about the major states, first of all winter wheat condition in Kansas reported as 23% very poor to poor,” Rippey noted.  “Toward the end of January Colorado at the same time 24% very poor to poor. And those states also reporting significant top soil moisture shortages despite some recent snowfall across that area.”

“Other verbal comments from the states include that northeastern New Mexico wheat is stressed from a lack of moisture,” Rippey continued.  “And in southeastern Colorado conditions were noted as as extremely dry moisture is needed and that high winds during the winter have damaged or blown out winter wheat stands in some areas.”

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