Farmers report increased planting following wet conditions
PUEBLO, Colo. (AP) — Some Colorado farmers say they are planting more this year following the winter snow and spring rain.
The Pueblo Chieftain reported Monday that farmers in southeastern Colorado had left large amounts of land unplanted last year to guard against likely crop losses from the dry conditions.
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, the current wet conditions have eliminated most signs of drought in the state except for a small strip marked as slightly dry in the southeast.
Avondale farmer Dan Hobbs says he is working 14-hour days to make use of the available water.
He says his neighbors are planting on "every available acre they can find."
He says he is shifting to durable varieties of wheat and barley to protect against a potential infestation of grasshoppers.
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Information from: The Pueblo Chieftain, http://www.chieftain.com