According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) the proportion of winter wheat rated ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ in Kansas has fallen from 58% at the end of December to 35% at the end of January. This figure is well below the average of 47% for this time of year over the past five years. The drop in conditions in Kansas is significant as Kansas is responsible for more than 15% of total U.S. wheat production and more than 20% of the country’s winter wheat output. 63% of the state is now rated as being in drought and the remainder of the state is rated as being ‘abnormally dry’. Without normal precipitation and snow cover farmers are concerned with winter kill. Texas and Nebraska are also being affected by dry and cold conditions. The amount of wheat in Texas rated ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ fell four points to 19% and in Nebraska wheat rated in the top two categories fell 19 points in 2014 to 46%. Frigid temperatures are forecasted to move into the region once again however, 4-5 inches of snow is expected which should provide some protection against further damage.
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