What springtime cold & snow could mean for farm production

Spring may have sprung, but colder and maybe even snowy weather is on the way for the northern U.S.

USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey says the current snow drought could see relief though.

“And that stripe of snow or two stripes of snow across the north are going to hit some areas that have been experiencing a winter long snow drought. We have seen parts of Minnesota, northern Iowa, into northern South Dakota and southeastern South Dakota that have received less than 10 inches of snow for the entire winter to date and that looks like it’s going to change pretty dramatically with this two storm punch over the next seven days.”
Brad Rippey, USDA Meteorologist

While the precipitation is welcome news for drier conditions across the country, Rippey says, growers will have to keep a close eye on winter grains. The southeastern U.S. already saw a freeze event this week, and more cold weather could be on the way.

“The good news for the south is that these additional cold outbreaks are going to stay a little bit flatter, meaning they’re going to be focused more across the northern tier of the United States, where there’s less potential for freeze injury.”
Brad Rippey, USDA Meteorologist

Before this event, Florida citrus producers were reporting a sufficient and stable crop and expected supplies to last through the summer. No word yet on whether this cooler weather will change that.