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Blizzard conditions, flooding create challenges for Nebraska farmers

Blizzard conditions in northern and western Nebraska this week have created challenges for cow-calf producers, many of whom are in middle of calving season.

Katie Olsen of Atkinson, in north-central Nebraska, says their cows are scheduled to start calving this week. She says they’re in a blizzard today (Thursday), which was preceded by two inches of rain.

“If we get some calves here in the next couple of days, it’s going to be bad,” Olsen says. “Our bath tub and our porch are all going to be filled up with baby calves, I’m afraid.”

Another challenge is flooding. Olsen, who is in Washington, D.C. this week with Nebraska Farm Bureau, says she’s anxious to get home but isn’t sure when that will happen.

“There’s no way I can make it home because there are bridges washed out all along the way home—and even our country road is washed out,” she says. “It’s quite interesting—I’ve never been in this situation in all my life. You know, you worry about droughts in Nebraska, not floods.”

Heavy rains and fast snow melt are causing major flooding across many parts of Nebraska.

AUDIO: Katie Olsen