Great Plains Drought Likely To Persist - Reuters

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PHOENIX - U.S. winter wheat in the central and southern Plains had a dry fall and weather patterns indicate it will face a dry spring as well, Creighton University meteorologist Art Douglas said on Wednesday.

"The wheat crop got started with some early rains in some areas, but had a relatively dry fall situation. For the next few months down the road it does not look like we will see much increased precipitation," Douglas said.

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For cattle producers, the dry forecasts also indicate another year of poor pastures. Cattle producers have held off expanding herds in part because previous drought conditions have reduced pastures, which are needed for grazing.

"The pasture situation is pretty bad. Grass really responds to fall precipitation and most of the fall we were pretty dry. If we don't have much precipitation in the next few months it doesn't look good," Douglas said."

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