Weather Swings Worry Stockmen

The National Agricultural Statistics Service says declining stock water supplies and extreme weather swings were the biggest concerns for Kansas livestock producers last month.

In its monthly wintertime update, the agency reported Monday that cattle and calf losses were 13 percent below normal, 85 percent normal and 2 percent above normal in January.

The report also said most of Kansas received less than half the normal amount of precipitation last month.

About 20 percent of the winter wheat was rated in poor to very poor condition, with 45 percent rated fair, 33 percent rated good and 2 percent rated excellent.

The report says Kansas farmers in areas with little to no snow cover last month were concerned with winterkill on their wheat crop.