Any moisture is welcome

Ag producers face constant dilemma of needing timely rain, not the hail

SIDNEY -- Last year was not so good for farmers and ranchers looking for "just enough" rain and snow. This year, the rain is making up for past years, but often at a cost: hail.

This spring welcomed summer with more rain than the area has seen recently, according to Tyson Narjes. Narjes and his family have a farm south of Sidney. Last year, drought was a big concern, he said.

"After this last year, any rain is welcome," he said.

He added the challenge is the rain arriving with hail and the potential destruction it brings. Additionally, hail and tornadoes are unpredictable. One side of a fence could be a loss, and the other side barely received any rain, according to Narjes. He said farming in extremes is complicated.

"Having the complete opposite is challenging," he said.

He said farmland in Cheyenne County needs rain, so farmers and ranchers endure the hail when it comes.

He said their farm has been "pretty fortunate" in surviving recent storms. 

"We do have some friends that got hit pretty hard," he said.

Narjes said he knows farmers between the Sidney airport and Lorenzo that were hit hard by recent storms. 

"It goes in streaks," he said.

Narjes said some storms are impacting winter wheat. 

"So far, we've been very fortunate," he said.