‘We are way behind’: Lincoln’s dry winter causing concern among farmers

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – Many people are noticing this year’s less than normal winter, and these conditions make for an even harder farming environment.

Lincoln is experiencing the driest start to any winter on record, only seeing an inch of snow, according to Channel 8’s Storm Alert Team.

The last time the Capitol City was this dry was 1922.

Paula Peterson, a local farmer, told Channel 8 that this weather is very unfortunate.

“The problem is we didn’t have any real precipitation going into fall and winter,” she said. “So, we are way behind on what the soils going to need to be able to grow good crops this spring. I have to admit, for the first time, I was disappointed that we didn’t get ice. When we miss any type of precipitation, that puts us in a bad spot.”

Compared to last year’s 3.16 inches, Lincoln has only seen three-quarters of an inch of rain.

According to UNL Cropwatch, if there continues to be a lack of moisture, there is an increased risk of a late winter and spring wildfires.

But Peterson told Channel 8 that it’s not just the growing the crops that’s worrying her.

“I’m not super optimistic that we’re going to get a lot of precipitation so we may be looking at changing planting populations,” she said. “The main thing for us is we’re going to have to watch how the pasture is for the cows. Whether we’re able to turn the cows out to pasture in May or if we’re going to have to hold them and continue feeding them.”

On the U.S. drought monitor, almost all of Nebraska has some sort of dry conditions.

With the chance for precipitation next week, Peterson is hopeful Nebraska’s weather returns to normal soon.

“It’s one of those, we really, really need the rain and we’ll take it; snow, rain, sleet whatever we can get at this point. I personally prefer liquid, rather than snow or sleet. But at this point, we will take anything we can get. I see the 20-30% and I’m like please, please, please.”