Farmers in the US Midwest are counting the cost of the bad weather over the past few days, with losses of livestock in blizzard conditions expected to run into thousands. Some areas recorded up to a foot of snow. Many farmers are still looking for stray cattle lost in storms, using Facebook groups such as the one set up in Baca County, Colorado, to share pictures of the branding used on their animals with members of the public in the hope that they will be spotted.

Ranchers have posted harrowing pictures of dead livestock on their farms.

In neighbouring Kansas, suckler farmer Kyler Millershaski told local TV station KWCH that efforts to protect his herd with extra wind breakers and additional feed ahead of the storm were not enough to save some calves from dying. “Hopefully this is the very worse I’ll ever see,” he said.

Bloomberg has reported a spike in cattle futures’ prices this week following the storms.

Tillage farmers under water

The region is also home to many US tillage farmers, who have seen their spring planting efforts obliterated.

The succession of heavy rains, frost and snow damaged newly planted crops and left many fields flooded.

Nebraska-based seed merchant Dustin O’Hanlon detailed the damage affecting maize planted at various points before the weather event and showed seeds that have not yet germinated. He also warned that rot could develop later in the year in plants contaminated in the recent flooding.

Wheat futures have jumped by nearly 10% since the end of April on the US market and maize futures showed more moderate gains, but they are already showing signs of easing.

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