KOTA Territory NewsLack of snow could lead to less than stellar winter wheat crop

Lack of snow could lead to less than stellar winter wheat crop

Many of us are excited about this unseasonably mild winter, especially the lack of snow. But the absence of snow is taking its toll on farmers of one Midwest crop.

Scot Eisenbraun grows wheat near Wall. He and other farmers have struggled with the crop this season due to lack of moisture.

"On a scale of one to ten, ten being the best, I would say our wheat crop is probably at a four right now as far as outlook goes," said Eisenbraun.

Eisenbraun counts on winter wheat to make a profit especially with the rising costs of fuel and production.

Winter wheat is planted in the fall and begins to grow before the winter cold arrives. The crop can then inspected before it is harvested in summer.

"I guess we're hopefully optimistic about having a crop, but it sure looks like over half of it's going to have to be re-seeded or seeded to something besides wheat," said Eisenbraun.

One of the most important factors for wheat production is snow cover. But farmers say the lack of it is wreaking havoc.

"We need moisture, that's for sure. It's been such a dry, mild winter that our crops are definitely going to struggle in the spring if we don't get moisture," said Eisenbraun.

Snow packs insulate the wheat by keeping the temperature steady. And when the snow melts liquid water will seep into the ground. But a department of agriculture report shows this season, the crop only received 13 percent of its normal snow cover.

"It can always be worse, but I guess we got spoiled last winter when it was really good," said Eisenbraun.

Despite the numbers Eisenbraun says he'll sit back and wait to see what the next season will bring.

Experts say even if there is widespread damage to this region's winter wheat crop, it's not likely to affect grain markets. Upper Midwest states account for only ten percent of winter wheat produced.