Weather Outlook for Farmers | Video

Jennifer Joas | 3/13/2012

What a difference a year makes. Last year during the KUMV Farm and Ranch Show, the ground was covered with snow, and we were still six weeks away from the worst blizzard of 2011. Kevin Lawrence spoke at the annual agriculture show and gave area farmers his perspective on what the weather for this year`s growing season will be like.

All the farm fields around Williston are brown and dry, when they`re normally covered by snow. While the mild winter has been a blessing for many people, it could become a cause of concern for farmers.

"We still have a lot of sub soil moisture so as long as we get enough rain to soak up the top, it should be a fairly good year if it doesn`t get too terribly hot or anything like that," said Alexander farmer Craig Wahlstrom.

Wahlstrom came to the Farm and Ranch show today looking for answers about what the weather will bring this year.

"Any moisture at all is going to be welcomed news. And it’s not going to come with arctic air. It might cool down, it won’t be in the 70s, but at least we might have a decent shot of some moisture," said Meteorologist Kevin Lawrence.

Kevin`s 2012 long range forecast had some good news for farmers in the area.

"I don`t think it will be as bad as 2006, but I do not believe it will be as wet as last year or these past three years prior," said Lawrence.

Wahlstrom farms 2,500 acres near Alexander. He plants spring wheat, durum, lentils and soy beans, and is hoping for a good year.

"It just depends on how hot it gets. We don`t need a lot of precipitation if it doesn`t get so hot. That`s what dries everything out. Hot temperatures and a lot of wind."

Lawrence says weather models indicate a storm could be coming next week that might bring the moisture these farmers are hoping for.

Kevin Lawrence gave two weather presentations at today`s Farm and Ranch Show. Tomorrow Cliff Naylor will be presenting clips from his travels of Off the Beaten Path.

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