HARTFORD,
Conn. (
AP) - The mild winter that has given many Northern farmers a break from shoveling and a welcome chance to catch up on maintenance could lead to a tough spring as many pests that would normally freeze, have not.
Winters are usually what one agriculture specialist calls a "reset button" that gives farmer a fresh start come planting season. But with relatively mild temperatures and little snow, insects are surviving, growing and, in some areas, already munching on budding plants.
Almost every state had a warmer-than-usual January, according to the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. In
Albany, N.Y., for example, the average high in January was 37 degrees, when it's usually less than freezing, according to the
National Weather Service. In
Tulsa,
Okla., the average high last month was about 57 degrees, 9 degrees higher than normal.
The Upper Midwest, Great Plains and a few other areas were "much above normal" in temperature, NOAA said. ...