Nebraska CropWatch

In this episode I discuss the warm/hot, dry, and breezy weather ahead. Fire danger will be elevated through middle of next week, especially western and central NE. Chance of moisture in the Panhandle Tuesday night but most of the state will be dry through the end of next week. Discussed chances for #rain and #storms next weekend but how it may not be enough to offset the deficits we are accumulating this season so far. Drought quickly becoming more of an issue with severe and extreme drought expansion this week.

In this episode Bryce Anderson of DTN joins to talk about the upcoming season. We talk about the demise of La Nina, the status of the Southern Oscillation Index, and how the current phase of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) may be at least partly responsible for the string of warm, dry falls. We took a deep dive into the analog years and how years like 2006 and 2021 may be the best blueprint for this upcoming season.

Severe storms possible this evening in southeast Nebraska and a warm to hot day tomorrow. Cooler, wetter weather this weekend, with the best moisture falling in the northeast quadrant of the state. Snow possible in the Sand Hills and Panhandle. Additional moisture likely mid-week, with rain east and snow/wind possible in western and north central Nebraska. Temperatures generally cooler than average next week and cool/wet may last into the middle of April. Drought improvements in parts of central and eastern Nebraska and some degradation in the southern Panhandle. 

In this episode Mike McDonald, farmer in Otoe County and former educator, joins the podcast to talk about his journey from the family farm in Sherman County to his 5-crop rotation farm today. Mike talks about ow a trip to North Dakota in 2011 changed his vision for their farm, the importance of cattle for soil health, his recent experience with biochar and manure, the importance of viewing soil health as not only proper stewardship but also a return on investment. We finished the discussion talking about the challenges and opportunities of carbon markets and the lack of agility in commodity markets.