Recent Moisture A Godsend For Farmers, But Is It Enough?
WELD COUNTY, Colo. (CBS4) - Farming is big business in Colorado and spring planting is just around the corner. After a dry winter recent moisture has been a godsend, but farmers are still worried about this year's water supply.
Lynn Fagerberg of Fagerberg Farms in Weld County surveyed his crop that's now freshly coated in snow.
"It's liking this. It's been thirsty and it's getting a drink," he told a CBS4 crew.
But Fagerberg says the recent moisture is not nearly enough.
"We still have a long ways to go. Our reservoirs are basically empty and it's going to take a considerable amount of snowpack to change that direction," he said.
In anticipation of a less-than-stellar water year, farmers like Fagerberg have taken precautions.
"We've put about half our total acreage in wheat, which requires considerably less water than the other crops we grow -- corn, beans or onions for example," he said. "We're hoping we're wrong, that we didn't need to do that, but it's looking a little bleak at this point in time."
Farmers are remaining optimistic that their growing season won't be interrupted by a lack of water.
