WXOW News 19 La Crosse, WI – News, Weather and Sports |Drought Concerns for Farmers

HOKAH,MN (WXOW)--Our unusually dry weather in October and November has led to a rising likelihood of a drought this year in most of Minnesota and parts of northern Wisconsin.

John Lehman is a dairy farmer in Hokah, Minnesota and has been for most of his life--and when it comes to the milder winter weather we've been seeing--he says--he's enjoyed it.

"We've been doing outside projects because it's been so nice out and it's been really nice some of those days not wearing no gloves outside,"said Lehman.

But that's not the case for all farmers.

Ag expert--Bill Halfman said the weather has been good and bad depending on what kind of farmer you ask.

"It's good because it's less snow you have to push around and it's more convenient for taking care of livestock and things like that but there's concern out there because we haven't had a lot of snow fall and necessarily a lot of moisture in the area. Are we moving into a dry weather pattern? Are we going to have adequate moisture for next year's crop?" said Halfman.

According to the National Weather Service, drought predictions cover just a small portion of northern Wisconsin from now until the end of April. But Halfman said to keep in mind this is just a prediction.

"At this point in time we really have to cover our bases and we should always be using risk management tools and farming as best we can but then we kind of have to wait and see what happens and go from there,"said Halfman.

While most of Minnesota at this point is expected to see a drought-- dairy farmer Lehman is taking advantage of the warm weather getting projects done--and getting his equipment ready.

"It's hard to say if we're going to have a drought or not. I think it's too early to tell I think. We could have a bunch of snow yet, who knows," said Lehman.