GOVERNOR NELSON TAKES ACTION TO HELP FARMERS
© 1997 Joe Murray

Lincoln - Concerned about dry weather in various areas of the state, Governor Nelson requested that the United States Secretary of Agriculture, Dan Glickman, approve county applications to use Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acreage for haying and grazing purposes. In addition, Nelson asked Glickman to investigate the USDA rule that restricts producers from harvesting more than 50% of their CRP acreage. Nelson believes that they should allow 80%.

TIMEOUT - As I am writing the story, it is pouring rain outside. Three weeks ago, I traveled from my home in rural Lancaster County in Southeast Nebraska to Imperial in Southwest Nebraska. It was raining when I left and somewhere around York, I got caught in what I later discovered was a 9-inch rain. It was like standing underneath a pivot center or a waterfall. Most of the cars pulled off the Interstate. I kept going, but at a very slow speed. Eventually, I drove out of the storm and into 95 degree sunshine.

After spending a day in Imperial, I started for home and went through a thunderstorm between Imperial and Ogallala. From there on home, I kept driving in and out of more rain. Therefore, I must admit that I am somewhat skeptical when I hear Governor Nelson talking about dry weather. As Sodbuster is a new news source on a new medium, I decided to break with the typical journalistic claims of impartiality and admit my bias. I rarely think it is too dry. I have spent almost all the summers of my life breaking horses. The hotter and drier it is, the easier my job -- the horses get tired more quickly. From my perspective, it seems a cool windy day will always bring the worst out in a horse. From the horse’s perspective, he may just feel good or think -- do horses think? -- he has to do something to stay warm.

Also, I often help my father in his grading and seeding business. I seed the yards when he is finished grading them. Once I am finished seeding, it is up to the owner to make sure the grass grows. Unlike a farmer, I do not have to worry about whether it grows or not. Rain just slows our job because you can’t seed grass if the ground is wet. The roller on the brillion seeder picks up mud.

However, having lived in rural Nebraska all my life, I am well aware that farmers never think the weather is just right. It is either "too hot or too cold, too wet or too dry." Unfortunately, this negative attitude is almost always right because the unpredictable weather in Nebraska rarely creates ideal conditions. It may pour rain in one spot and over in the next section, it may be dry as a bone. The rain has stopped, the sun is out. It is starting to get steamy hot, so now I can restore my objectivity and return to reporting the news.

BACK TO THE NEWS In other actions, the Governor announced that farmers in counties suffering from the dry weather can apply for permits from the Nebraska Department of Roads to mow roadside areas for hay. Nelson said, "This is a serious problem. Producers have been struggling to pull out of a long period of depressed cattle prices, and this shortage of hay caused by dry weather is only making things worse." To obtain a permit, farmers can contact the nearest district office of the Roads Department and get details.

In addition, Nelson called on the Nebraskans who are not affected by dry conditions to lend a hand to help those in need. To facilitate these efforts, the Nebraska Department of Agriculture’s Ag Promotion and Development will staff a hay hotline phone bank to connect the people who need help with those capable of giving assistance. They will take calls from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Central Daylight Time, Monday through Friday. The toll-free number is 800-422-6692. Governor Nelson said, "We expect to receive a lot of calls from producers needing hay, so those who have feed to sell or donate or available pasture land are encouraged to call the hotline and register their supplies."

According to statistics provided by the Nebraska Agricultural Statistics Service(NASS), the regions most affected by the dry conditions are in the Central and South-Central Region of the state. Both regions have received only 64% of normal precipitation since the first of April. Seventy-one percent of the topsoil moisture is rated very short in the Central region while 22% is rated as "short." Only 7% is considered "adequate." The conditions are even worse in the South-Central Region. Eighty-six percent of topsoil moisture is very short, and only 2% is adequate. In addition, only 8% of subsoil moisture is deemed adequate.

Compared with these regions, the Southwest Region is doing well, having received almost an inch of rain last week. Crops are looking good. The rain was particularly beneficial to the dry bean crop, according to NASS. Since April 1, the Southwest Region has received 10.76 inches of precipitation, which is 92% of normal. Only 10% of top soil moisture is rated very short and 13% of subsoil moisture. Forty-five percent of topsoil is rated as short, and the other 45% rates as adequate.

Statewide, NASS statistics, in their weekly crop weather report, showed decent haying conditions. This is what the report said:

Alfalfa condition declined to 9% very poor, 23% poor, 35% fair, 30% excellent. Second cutting activities were 90% complete. This is equal to last year and above 87% average. Third cutting activities have begun on 9% of the acreage compared with 6% last year and 9% average. Wild hay condition rated 7% very poor, 25% poor, 35% fair, 28% good, and 5% excellent. Native grass haying continued active.