I was at a loss for what to write about today and then Mother Nature stepped in and delivered the first snow of the season. Western Nebraska had between 6 to 8 inches on Saturday but we only had rain (and I’m not complaining). Today is a different story. We’re only supposed to get an inch, but it’s much-needed moisture for the fields. Farmers had been busy to the bone applying anhydrous the past month but activity in the fields came to a hault more than a week ago.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln extension specialists say that 12 inches of snow could provide farmers 0.8 to one inch of additional soil moisture in the soil profile. That moisture could make a difference of 8 to 12 additional bushels per acre of corn yield. That moisture is especially valuable to dryland crops and the irrigation farmer benefits from reduced irrigation pumping costs, too. Al Dutcher, state climatologist, says precipitation during the winter recharge period of Oct. 1 to April 30 is critical to Nebraska crop production.

I’ll put on my snow boots and drive on muddy roads if it’s helping the farmers. Let it snow!

Until we walk again …