USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey says that this winter holds a 75% chance of La Niña becoming our predominant weather pattern.
With La Niña comes warmer and drier conditions for parts of the country already facing topsoil moisture concerns.
According to Rippey, “So from a winter crop standpoint or a fall season crop standpoint, one of the biggest concerns would be that for some of those winter wheat production areas especially in Oklahoma and Texas, possibly extending into parts of Kansas, a drier than normal winter superimposed on a dry autumn could lead to significant concerns with respect to the winter wheat crop that will be harvested next year. If we don’t see significant relief from the dryness between now and the beginning of winter that almost ensures us that we’re going to have a subpar winter wheat crop coming out of the Southern Great Plains.”
In the southwest, Rippey says that water supplies and irrigation could be at risk. Low reservoir levels are already being documented in states like New Mexico and in the Colorado River Basin.
With a lackluster forage season and a bumper corn crop this year, some cattle farmers may consider feeding their cows corn silage this winter.
However, University of Missouri Extension says that there are a few things to keep in mind.
A state beef nutritionist says that corn silage should currently be priced anywhere from $45-50 per ton and contain nearly 70% TDN. While readily available this season, corn silage does have a short shelf life.
He recommends having it delivered at least once a week to avoid it losing nutritional value.
He also suggests considering transportation costs, recommending it not be hauled more than 20 miles to the operation. Otherwise, those freight rates could get pricey.
