NASHVILLE, TENN. (RFD NEWS) — Cold weather dominated most production regions this week, slowing transportation and livestock movement while shaping feed demand and energy costs. In southern areas, brief warm windows allowed limited fieldwork, while drought in the West and Plains moisture patterns remain key planting considerations.
GREAT PLAINS
- Texas — Warmer stretches allowed fertilizer application in southern and central areas. Wheat ranges from stressed west to improving east with recent moisture.
- Oklahoma — Pastures remain dormant under cold conditions. Wheat condition stabilized after light precipitation.
- Kansas — Snow cover protected winter wheat but delayed hauling. Feed demand increased due to limited grazing.
- Nebraska — Livestock feeding intensified during cold snaps. Grain movement steady but weather-interrupted.
- South Dakota — Deep frost slowed manure hauling. Cattle stress increased supplemental feeding.
- North Dakota — Limited activity beyond livestock care. Producers monitoring snowpack moisture potential.
MIDWEST
- Iowa — Strong corn movement during brief warm periods. High propane demand for livestock facilities.
- Illinois — River logistics uneven due to ice movement. Basis stable with steady processor demand.
- Indiana — Feed demand strong; minimal fieldwork. Some ammonia prep underway in southern counties.
- Ohio — Wet soils remain frozen; hauling sporadic. Poultry operations managing ventilation costs.
- Missouri — Southern counties began early fertilizer staging. Northern areas remain weather-limited.
DELTA & SOUTH
- Arkansas — Rice and soybean planning underway. Limited tillage during short dry windows.
- Louisiana — Sugarcane harvest finishing. Growers preparing rice ground where conditions allow.
- Mississippi — Field prep beginning in Delta on higher ground. Cotton acreage discussions ongoing.
- Alabama — Pastures greening slowly in south. Poultry energy costs elevated during cold nights.
- Georgia — Peanut and cotton planning active. Vegetable growers planting under covers.
- Florida — Vegetable harvest active. Citrus irrigation ongoing amid variable temperatures.
- Tennessee — Fertilizer deliveries increasing. Wheat stable under protective moisture.
WEST & SOUTHWEST
- New Mexico — Limited irrigation activity; producers watching reservoir levels. Feedlots adjusting rations for cold.
- Arizona — Vegetable harvest steady. Alfalfa winter growth minimal.
- California — Orchard pruning active between storms. Water allocations still uncertain.
- Nevada — Ranchers feeding hay as ranges dormant. Snowpack favorable in mountains.
NORTHWEST & NORTHERN ROCKIES
- Washington — Wheat dormant under cold temperatures. Apple storage shipments steady.
- Oregon — Pasture growth slow; livestock feeding heavy. Some nursery work progressing.
- Idaho — Potato movement steady. Snowpack supports irrigation outlook.
- Montana — Cattle sheltered during extreme cold. No field activity.
- Wyoming — Feeding conditions difficult with wind chills. Hay demand strong.
NORTHEAST
- Pennsylvania — Dairy producers managing high feed usage. Maple tapping preparations beginning.
- New York — Snow cover heavy in upstate regions. Grain hauling intermittent.
- Vermont — Milk production stable; energy costs elevated.
- Maine — Potato storage conditions good. Limited outdoor work.
UPPER MIDWEST & GREAT LAKES
- Minnesota — Grain hauling resumed briefly midweek. Strong ethanol plant demand.
- Wisconsin — Dairy operations increased feed rations. Manure hauling paused during freezes.
- Michigan — Fruit growers pruning orchards. Greenhouse production active.
FAR NORTH & U.S. TERRITORIES
- Alaska — Livestock care only activity. Feed shipments steady.
- Hawaii — Vegetable and specialty crop harvest ongoing. Favorable growing conditions statewide.
Related Stories
Long-term demand uncertainty is reshaping specialty crop strategies as producers adapt to fewer, older consumers.
Seasonal boxed beef softness does not change the tight-supply outlook — leverage remains closer to the farm gate heading into 2026.
Trade uncertainty—especially regarding soybeans—continues to weigh on future outlooks, even as farm finances and land values remain resilient.
Strong export demand supports feed grain prices, but drought risk and seasonal patterns favor disciplined early-year marketing.
Strong crush demand and rising ethanol production are pressuring feedstocks, as traders monitor storage risks and supply chain uncertainty and await the upcoming January WASDE report.
Preserving equity through active risk management remains critical in a volatile, supply-driven market.
USDA data indicates that 13.7 percent of U.S. households experienced food insecurity in 2024, the highest rate since 2014, even as most households remained food secure.
Weather, Tight Supplies, and Planning Shape Farm Decisions
Bigger cows must wean proportionally heavier calves to justify higher ownership costs.
