What questions farmers have about its effect on next season [Video]

CHATHAM, Mich. (WJMN) — The “Winter That Wasn’t” has farmers and agriculture researchers guessing about what early, warm temperatures means for their next crop.

While no winter is ever the same, winters in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan are often known to be harsh, cold, and one of the snowiest places in the nation.

When these seemingly typical weather patterns shift and change, it can have a significant impact on agriculture.

“We live and die by the weather in farming, and there’s always an element of unpredictability. But we’re seeing that it’s becoming less predictable and more variable. And that adds risk for farmers,” said James DeDecker, director of Michigan State University’s Upper Peninsula Research and Extension Center (MSU UPREC).

MSU UPREC has been tracking weather patterns at its location in Chatham for 125 years.

“We’ve seen that in this year certainly was a lower snowfall year here in Chatham …