Nebraska CropWatch

In the first episode of a new podcast series, Dr. Barb Boustead (local meteorologist) discusses her first book: "Wilder Weather: What Laura Ingalls Wilder Teaches Us About the Weather, Climate, and Protecting What We Cherish". Barb focused on the weather-related hardships that Laura experienced as a child, how those experiences shaped her resilience, how we can use those experiences to prepare us...

In this episode I discuss the upcoming heat wave and details about heavy precipitation next week in the eastern half of the state. 

#Rain chances statewide starting tomorrow through Monday evening. Best chance at picking up over an inch in the northwest Sand Hills. Severe storms possible tomorrow afternoon in southwest Nebraska. Rain will be more persistent in the western third of the state over the weekend. Eastern section of the state likely to be dry both Saturday and Sunday afternoons/evenings. Rain chances statewide on Me...

In this episode I discuss the warm/hot, dry, and breezy weather ahead. Fire danger will be elevated through middle of next week, especially western and central NE. Chance of moisture in the Panhandle Tuesday night but most of the state will be dry through the end of next week. Discussed chances for #rain and #storms next weekend but how it may not be enough to offset the deficits we are accumulati...

In this episode Bryce Anderson of DTN joins to talk about the upcoming season. We talk about the demise of La Nina, the status of the Southern Oscillation Index, and how the current phase of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) may be at least partly responsible for the string of warm, dry falls. We took a deep dive into the analog years and how years like 2006 and 2021 may be the best blueprint...

Severe storms possible this evening in southeast Nebraska and a warm to hot day tomorrow. Cooler, wetter weather this weekend, with the best moisture falling in the northeast quadrant of the state. Snow possible in the Sand Hills and Panhandle. Additional moisture likely mid-week, with rain east and snow/wind possible in western and north central Nebraska. Temperatures generally cooler than averag...

In this episode Mike McDonald, farmer in Otoe County and former educator, joins the podcast to talk about his journey from the family farm in Sherman County to his 5-crop rotation farm today. Mike talks about ow a trip to North Dakota in 2011 changed his vision for their farm, the importance of cattle for soil health, his recent experience with biochar and manure, the importance of viewing soil he...

Update on current drought and soil moisture conditions and outlook for the spring and summer.

In the latest episode of the Weather Ready Farms series Jordan Uldrich, a diversified farmer from Fillmore County near Milligan, dropped by the Hardin Hall podcast studio today. We had a great conversation covering several topics in the area of regenerative agriculture and water quality. As Jordan would say in a recent article he wrote, "It's all about water". How we manage our soils and inputs ar...

In this episode I discuss the recent historic cold and why we had it. Then move into the forecast for next week, which is much warmer than it has been and a chance for a little moisture midweek. Then I discuss the prospects for moisture in the first half of March and the possibility of it turning colder again in mid-March. Finish up with a few thoughts on the U.S. Drought Monitor.

In this episode, I discuss the possibility of more snow over the next several days and the brutally cold temperatures next week. A thaw is coming before you know it though. Finish up with some thoughts on the most recent U.S. Drought Monitor.