Warm weather bringing possible vulnerable period for winter crops

Unseasonably warm weather has thrown off the usual winter season, with positive temperatures in the forecast that could be a concern for farmers.

They managed to get through a 2022 growing season that was somewhat fine, depending on what region you were in.

Now, the warmer temperatures will be taking away much of the snow cover that winter crops, such as winter wheat, rely on for protection.

Agrologist Edgar Hammermeister says that as a whole, this system isn't going to be too disruptive for those crops in the short term.

"A one-day warm spell, or the short week that's happening, it's not going to have too much of an impact, so long as we can transition back to a slow cooling afterward. If we had a couple of weeks of mild warmth, and then that aggressive cold, that could cause a bit of an upset and some damage."

There could be an issue if snowfall doesn't replenish the pack that those crops use for warmth.