This is a picture of the Faribault Woolen Mill Dam I took today. In the 20 years I have been in Faribault I don't remember the Cannon River being this high at Christmas time. It is a reflection of just how much rain we have received in the last half of November and in December. By watching the flow rates of rivers and drainage ditches you get an indication of what is happening with moisture levels in the soil profile. Last Wednesday we received another 1.5 inches of rain along with thunder and lightening! Pretty rare for the middle of December. It is always nice to have a dry fall and then get some rain to recharge the soil profile before the soil freezes. But this is a little excessive!

Tom Hoverstad is a scientist at the Southern Research and Outreach Center at Waseca. He told me last week we will likely see the warmest December in their 100 years of records at Waseca and maybe one of the wettest, too. While it was cold for a couple of days, it is supposed to warm up again next week. You have to wonder how the alfalfa is going to survive the winter. Will it begin to break dormancy and then be damaged by more cold weather? This damp weather is not good for livestock either. Temperatures in the 30s with high humidity and cloudy skies is pneumonia weather. While the warm weather and no snow makes our lives easier, I would be a happy farmer with "normal" weather!

 

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