Warmer than normal temperatures were seen across much of the Midwest this winter, and this led to a general lack of snowfall across many of the states that usually receive several feet of snow. As of the beginning of March, parts of the Dakotas, Minnesota and Wisconsin received as little as 10% of normal snowfall.

This is important to the rest of the Midwest because tributary rivers in these states are large contributors to the Missouri and Mississippi rivers, which are vital for the movement of ag products. However, conditions have improved of late thanks to a late-season snowstorm that brought upwards of 1 foot of snow to some of these areas. 

Previously mentioned states that were in the lower 10% of average snowfall jumped to the 40% to 50% short range in a matter of weeks. While still just half of...