Dry land forces local farmers into tough positions

JEFFERSON COUNTY, Neb. -- The majority of eastern Nebraska is in a moderate to severe drought with limited rain and moisture. 

For southeastern Nebraska and Fairbury, the National Weather Service puts the area in a severe drought. 

With the warmer weather recently, farmers have been able to prepare for seed planting but the dry land does not make the job any easier. 

The past few years have seen limited precipitation in southeast Nebraska, and with this year being no different, it makes it tough on some farmers. 

“For the dry land fielders, not much you can do,” said Tyler Rosener, a local farmer in Jefferson County. "Last year was a rough year, especially in our area, in Jefferson County and a lot of surrounding counties I know too."

Rosener said irrigation can be one of the big ways to get water to the soil during a dry period.

Some farmers have it and others don’t. For Rosener, he is grateful to have irrigation but it comes with a lot of extra work. 

“The irrigation. The guys that have that, which I'm fortunate enough to have some of that, that really helps,” Rosener said. “But you’re also really busy keeping the pivots going and making sure they are running because it’s really important, especially if it’s not raining.”

With the influx in temperatures, colder temperatures and even snow might hit southeast Nebraska. 

Rosener said farmers will be happy about any type of moisture to benefit the land whether it’s snow or rain. 

“I think any of us would take any type of moisture right now,” Rosener said. “Being there’s no seeds in the ground. I don’t think that would affect us too much. The main thing is, it’s going to be cold so the soil temps are not going to be rising to where they need to be.”

Farmers will begin to plant their seed in mid-April and will hope for more precipitation heading into planting season.