Cold, dry conditions raise concerns about wheat

Continued warm and dry weather during the month of December 2017 was interspersed with minimal seasonal snowfall across the state, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Mountain Regional Field Office, Colorado. Reporters in all districts noted that insignificant moisture was received during the past month and that snow did not contain much moisture content. In northeastern counties, reporters expressed concern that dry conditions accompanied by cold snaps without the benefit of snow cover might have hurt fall seeded wheat. In southwest, southeast, and San Luis Valley counties, reporters noted dry conditions dominated the past month, but that feed supplies were adequate due to less snow cover on grazed range. Across the state, rangeland conditions were reported as declining due to dry conditions. Livestock are reported to be in good condition with sufficient feed supplies and availability of winter grazing where snow cover is not a hindrance. As of Jan. 1, snowpack in Colorado was at 56 percent measured as percent of median snowfall.