House GOP Releases Farm Bill 2.0, But Big Hurdles Remain
FBA payment rollout coming Feb. 23 | USDA unveils $1 billion in bridge aid for specialty crop growers
| LINKS |
Link: Video: Wiesemeyer’s Perspectives, Feb. 13
Link: Audio: Wiesemeyer’s Perspectives, Feb. 13
| Updates: Policy/News/Markets, Feb. 14, 2026 |
| UP FRONT |
TOP STORIES
— House Ag Republicans finally unveil post-recess farm bill
House Republicans released an 800-page draft ahead of a Feb. 23 partisan markup, reviving major fights over SNAP, pesticides, Prop 12 pre-emption, foreign farmland reporting, CRP reauthorization and farm credit limits. Democrats say 90% of their proposals were rejected, while Senate Ag Chair Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.) signals he’ll strip contentious items for bipartisan talks — underscoring a sharp House–Senate strategy divide.
— USDA Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) payments on track
USDA says FBA bridge payments remain on schedule — possibly early — ahead of the Feb. 23 rollout, pushing back on reports of delays and emphasizing the program’s simplicity.
— U.S. pork secures expanded access to Taiwan market
President Donald Trump finalized a long-sought agreement cutting pork tariffs in half and easing regulatory barriers, aligning residue standards with Codex and streamlining inspections. Industry calls it a 15-year breakthrough that could materially expand exports to a premium Asian market.
FINANCIAL MARKETS
— Equities Friday
Markets were mixed: the Dow and S&P 500 posted modest gains, while the Nasdaq slipped slightly.
— Goolsbee: more rate cuts possible — but only if inflation moves back to 2%
Chicago Fed President Austan Goolsbee said further easing is possible but conditional on inflation returning toward target. With services inflation sticky and overall CPI at 2.4% year over year, the Fed remains cautious after its 2025 rate cuts.
— Bessent signals deal to advance Fed chair hearing
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said hearings for Fed chair nominee Kevin Warsh may proceed after talks with Senate Republicans, but Sen. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.) remains opposed to confirmation while a DOJ probe of Chair Jerome Powell continues — spotlighting tensions over Fed independence.
AG MARKETS
— America’s cattle crisis: shrinking herd, record prices, and a long road back
A Barron’s report by Jack Hough details how the U.S. cattle herd — the smallest since 1951 — is driving structurally high beef prices. Drought, land costs, low heifer retention and succession challenges suggest relief at the meat counter may be years away.
— Agriculture markets Friday and weekly change
Corn and soybeans ended the week higher overall despite mixed daily action; wheat posted weekly gains; live cattle surged for the week while feeder cattle and lean hogs showed pressure.
FARM POLICY
— USDA unveils $1 billion in bridge aid for specialty crop growers
USDA announced one-time Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) payments using CCC authority, targeting producers left out of FBA. Acreage reporting is due March 13, with payments tied to 2025 planted acres.
POLITICS & ELECTIONS
— Amy Walter: Is Trump losing his grip on the white working class?
Cook Political Report analysis shows President Trump’s approval among white non-college voters has narrowed sharply from 2024 margins, largely due to economic dissatisfaction and cost-of-living concerns — a potential warning sign for GOP Senate and House races in working-class-heavy states.
WEATHER
— NWS outlook
A cold front brings heavy rain and severe storm risks across the Southern and Central Plains into the East, while the Pacific Northwest sees beneficial precipitation. Much of the country remains above average in temperatures.
| TOP STORIES — House Ag Republicans finally unveil post-recess farm billPartisan markup set for Feb. 23 as nutrition, pesticide and other fights resurface House Ag Committee Republicans released an 800-page farm bill draft ahead of a scheduled Feb. 23 markup, setting the stage for renewed partisan clashes — particularly over nutrition spending and pesticide policy. Link to text. Link to short overview. Link to title-by-title summary. The legislation covers agriculture, conservation and energy provisions that were left out of the GOP’s earlier reconciliation package. But it closely mirrors the committee’s 2024 partisan farm bill, which passed with only limited Democratic backing — signaling another uphill path for bipartisan support. Key issues in the package: 1) Reauthorizes the Conservation Reserve Program and keeps the cap on acres at 27 million. 2) Transfers the Food for Peace international food aid program from the U.S. Agency for International Development to USDA and reserves 50% of the resources in the program for the purchase and shipping of U.S. food. 3) Increases requirements for reporting farmland ownership by foreigners.4) Ties the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) to the administration’s Make America Healthy Again agenda.5) Addresses state laws requiring standard living conditions for animals providing meat and eggs, such as California’s Proposition 12, by stating that states and localities cannot require living conditions outside their jurisdiction.6) Adds the USDA secretary to the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States.7) Requires uniform pesticide labeling8) Directs USDA to study expanding crop insurance for specialty producers 9) Increases farm credit borrowing limits, The committee is expected to begin marking up the measure on Feb. 23, with proceedings likely to stretch into Tuesday — the night of the State of the Union — or Wednesday. While the bill is not expected to advance into law in its current form, it formally kicks off the next phase of farm bill negotiations. Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.) the ranking member on the House Ag Committee, said, “Our review of the legislative text is ongoing. Based on what I know, the Republican farm bill fails to meet the moment facing farmers and working people.” “Farmers need Congress to act swiftly to end inflationary tariffs, stabilize trade relationships, expand domestic market opportunities like year-round E15 and help lower input costs. The Republican majority instead chose to ignore Democratic priorities and focus on pushing a shell of a farm bill with poison pills that complicates if not derails chances of getting anything done,” Craig said. “I strongly urge my Republican colleagues to drop the political charade and work with House Democrats on a truly bipartisan bill to address the very real problems farm country is experiencing right now — before it’s too late.” Thompson has said the bill contains many provisions written by Democrats, but a Democratic analysis of the bill showed that of the 274 provisions that Democrats submitted to the Republican majority, 28 were accepted, for a 90% rejection rate. Of note: One controversial provision is language pre-empting state pesticide restrictions that Democrats have argued create a liability shield for chemical manufacturers such as Bayer, which has spent years defending thousands of lawsuits claiming its Roundup weedkiller causes cancer. Democrats have also long opposed language targeting animal welfare protections in states, including California and Massachusetts. In the Senate, Ag Committee Chair Sen. John Boozman (R-Ark.) has indicated he intends to strip out contentious provisions and use bipartisan sections as a foundation for negotiations, signaling a different strategic approach across the Capitol. — USDA Farmer Bridge Assisstance (FBA) program payments on trackDespite some reports to the contrary, bridge aid will be paid by Feb. 28 USDA informs it remains on schedule to deliver FBA assistance on time. “This is a straightforward program with little, if any, complexity, and our staff will be fully trained ahead of the Feb. 23 rollout.” (Looks like USDA will be “early” relative to its previous no later than Feb. 28 timeline.) Link — U.S. pork secures expanded access to Taiwan marketTariff cuts and regulatory changes mark breakthrough after 15-year industry push U.S. pork producers scored a significant trade victory as President Donald Trump finalized a new agreement with Taiwan that reduces longstanding tariff and non-tariff barriers on American pork exports. The deal represents the culmination of more than 15 years of advocacy by the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), which has pushed successive administrations to improve access to Taiwan — a high-value Asian market that has historically imposed strict import rules. “Our 15-plus year endeavor to break down trade barriers in the high-value market of Taiwan has paid off,” said NPPC President Duane Stateler, a pork producer from McComb, Ohio. “This means more U.S. pork on international tables and more opportunities and prosperity for American producers.” Key provisions of the agreement. The agreement delivers both tariff relief and regulatory reform:• Tariffs cut in half on U.S. pork exports.• Adoption of Codex standards for ractopamine residue levels in pork fat, kidney, liver, and muscle, with a 0.09 ppm (90 ppb) limit for other edible swine offal. Standards align with those set by the Codex Alimentarius Commission.• Elimination of restrictive import licensing procedures and removal of facility and product registration requirements that previously slowed trade flows.• End to 100% batch-by-batch inspections for ractopamine residues, replacing them with compliance-history-based import inspection rates.• Removal of country-of-origin labeling requirements specific to U.S. pork.• Automatic acceptance of eligible U.S. plants listed in the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Meat and Poultry Inspection Directory, maintained by the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), without requiring additional pre-export audits.• Recognition of USDA FSIS export certificates and electronic documentation, while limiting additional attestations. Why it matters. Taiwan has long been viewed as a premium destination for U.S. pork cuts and variety meats. Regulatory hurdles — particularly surrounding ractopamine — have constrained market growth for years. By aligning residue standards with international benchmarks and streamlining inspection and certification processes, the agreement could meaningfully expand export volumes and improve price realization for U.S. producers. Upshot: For the pork industry, which has faced volatility from tariff disputes and shifting Asian demand in recent years, the Taiwan breakthrough provides both diversification and renewed competitiveness in a strategic export market. |
| FINANCIAL MARKETS |
— Equities Friday:
| Equity Index | Closing Price Feb. 13 | Point Difference from Feb. 12 | % Difference from Feb. 12 |
| Dow | 49,500.93 | +48.95 | +0.10% |
| Nasdaq | 22,546.67 | -50.48 | -0.22% |
| S&P 500 | 6,836.17 | +3.41 | +0.05% |
— Goolsbee: more rate cuts possible — but only if inflation moves back to 2%
Chicago Fed president says policy easing remains conditional as services inflation keeps price pressures elevated
Austan Goolsbee, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, said Friday that additional interest rate cuts remain on the table — but only if inflation convincingly heads back toward the Federal Reserve’s 2% target. Speaking on Yahoo! Finance, Goolsbee emphasized that while policymakers could lower rates further — potentially “even several cuts more” — that path depends entirely on inflation progress. “We’re kind of stuck at 3%, and that’s not acceptable,” he said, signaling frustration with stalled disinflation.
Inflation: moderating but not there yet. A fresh report showed overall consumer prices rose 2.4% year over year — softer than some had feared. But Goolsbee highlighted ongoing concern about services inflation, which accelerated in January and continues to complicate the Fed’s effort to return inflation to target. That services component — which includes housing, healthcare and other labor-intensive categories — has been particularly sticky, a trend that several Fed officials have flagged in recent months.
Fed on pause after 2025 cuts. The Fed held rates steady at its last meeting, following three rate cuts in late 2025 aimed at supporting a cooling labor market.
However, recent employment data showing steady hiring has reduced urgency for further easing. Goolsbee and several colleagues now view the labor market as stabilizing, removing one justification for near-term rate reductions.
Bottom Line: For markets and rate-sensitive sectors — including housing, energy, and agriculture — the message is clear: easing isn’t off the table, but the inflation data will have to cooperate first.
— Bessent signals deal to advance Fed chair hearing
Tillis holds firm on blocking nominee amid Powell probe and Fed independence fight
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Friday that he expects the Senate Banking Committee to move forward with a hearing for the next Federal Reserve chair after what he described as an “agreement” with Senate Republicans — ending a two-week impasse.
The delay stems from opposition by Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), who has blocked action on President Donald Trump’s nominee, Kevin Warsh. Trump announced Warsh as his pick on Jan. 30 to succeed current Fed Chair Jerome Powell, whose term expires May 15.
Speaking on CNBC’s Squawk Box, Bessent said discussions with a Senate Republican working group earlier this week paved the way for hearings to begin. “It’s important to get the hearings underway, and I think we have an agreement to do that,” Bessent said. “My understanding is that we are going to proceed with the hearing.”
But Tillis quickly pushed back, making clear that a hearing does not mean confirmation. “I have no intention of allowing any Fed board nominee to move forward out of committee and to be confirmed, until this matter is settled,” Tillis said on Bloomberg TV.
Investigation at the center of the standoff. At issue is a Department of Justice investigation into Powell over the rising cost — now estimated at $2.5 billion — of a proposed Federal Reserve building renovation. Some lawmakers argue the probe is less about construction overruns and more about political pressure.
Trump has publicly expressed frustration with Powell’s refusal to support additional interest rate cuts. Several Republicans — including Tillis — have framed the investigation as potentially undermining the central bank’s independence. Tillis suggested the probe could be an effort to pressure Powell to step aside early. “I still believe that the initial inquiry and the investigation was a flex to try and get the current chair to step aside,” he said.
Bessent offers oversight shift. To break the stalemate, Bessent proposed moving oversight of the Powell probe from the Department of Justice to the Senate Banking Committee. Tillis welcomed additional congressional scrutiny but said it would not change his position. “It doesn’t change my posture,” he said. He emphasized that Federal Reserve independence is paramount to market stability. “This is foundational to Fed independence, and I, for one, am going to stand on the side of certainty, and Fed independence is what delivers certainty in our markets.”
What’s at stake. The standoff highlights a deeper tension between the White House and lawmakers over monetary policy and institutional independence. While hearings for Warsh may now proceed, confirmation remains uncertain as long as the Powell investigation continues. Markets will be watching closely. The fight touches not just on personnel changes — but on whether political pressure can shape the future direction of U.S. monetary policy at a moment when inflation, growth, and rate-cut expectations remain central to economic debate.
| AG MARKETS |
— America’s cattle crisis: shrinking herd, record prices, and a long road back
Drought, land costs, and generational strain keep U.S. beef supplies tight — meaning relief at the meat counter may be years away
In a sweeping Barron’s dispatch (link) from Texas cattle country, Jack Hough reports that America’s beef squeeze is rooted not in corporate manipulation or fleeting demand spikes, but in a historic contraction of the U.S. cattle herd — now at its lowest level since 1951. With cattle and calves totaling just 86.2 million head, steak prices have climbed 55% over five years and ground beef is up 69%, turning everyday staples into near-luxury purchases. Ranchers face drought, surging input costs, high land prices, and generational succession challenges — all slowing herd rebuilding and suggesting beef inflation could persist for years.
At the auction: supply is scarce, prices are high. At the Jordan Cattle Auction in San Saba, Texas, cows once sold cheaply are now commanding double their prices from five years ago. A Black Baldy sold for $1.30 per pound — half the price of premium cattle, but still historically elevated. Replacement breeding cows were expected to fetch roughly $3,500 each before a rare snowstorm canceled the sale.
The dynamic is clear: with beef prices high, ranchers are tempted to sell breeding stock rather than retain heifers to rebuild the herd. That choice supports near-term profits but prolongs long-term supply shortages.
The numbers behind the squeeze. The U.S. cattle population has fallen from more than 130 million head in the mid-1970s to 86.2 million today — the smallest herd in 75 years. Meanwhile, demand remains resilient:
• Steak prices: +55% over five years
• Ground beef: +69%
• Restaurant demand remains strong
• Major chains like Texas Roadhouse and Darden Restaurants (owner of LongHorn Steakhouse) have outperformed many casual-dining peers
Big restaurant chains can hedge costs and push through price increases. Independent steakhouses, like San Antonio’s Barn Door, are struggling more — forced to portion creatively and emphasize bundled value meals.
It’s not the packers. More than 80% of beef packing is controlled by four firms — Tyson Foods, JBS, Cargill, and National Beef. Though often blamed for high consumer prices, packers are currently operating below capacity due to cattle shortages. Tyson is expected to post a third straight year of beef losses and recently closed a Nebraska plant.
Analysts cited by Hough argue that packers are not driving inflation — they are reacting to constrained supply.
The real bottleneck: cow-calf ranchers. The core of the crisis lies with cow-calf producers like the Runge and Wright families in Texas. Key pressures include:
• Persistent drought across Texas since 2020
• Rancher input costs up 55% since 2020 (American Farm Bureau Federation data cited)
• Supplemental feed and hay purchases during dry years
• Land prices exceeding $2,000 per acre for recreational buyers
• Agricultural property tax rules that keep ranches viable but face pressure
• Aging operators and uncertain generational succession
Ranchers describe themselves as “raising grass, not beef.” Without rain, herd expansion isn’t feasible. And rebuilding takes time: a retained heifer requires two years to produce a calf, plus six to eight months before that calf reaches market.
Heifer retention — a key early signal of rebuilding — remains historically low. Analysts estimate it must fall into the low-to-mid 30% range (from roughly 39% currently) before meaningful herd growth begins. That would initially tighten beef supply further before eventual relief.
In other words: prices may rise before they fall.
Additional headwinds
• Screwworm outbreak in Mexico has halted cattle imports that normally account for 4–5% of U.S. supply.
• Brazil and Australia supply beef cuts, but not U.S.-grade fed cattle.
• Land fragmentation and recreational buyers are raising barriers to entry.
• Ranch returns are often near 1% annually — far below alternative land uses.
Even with improved genetics, crossbreeding innovations (including dairy-Angus programs cited by AGCO CEO Eric Hansotia), and strong demand, supply growth depends on rain and heirs willing to endure modest margins.
Bottom Line: Hough’s reporting makes clear that today’s beef inflation is structural, not speculative. The herd is historically small. Rebuilding takes years. Weather remains uncertain. Land costs are rising. And ranching succession is fragile.
Consumers hoping for a quick rollback in steak prices may be disappointed. Meaningful relief likely requires:
• Sustained rainfall
• Higher heifer retention
• Stable land ownership
• Several production cycles
Until then, cattle will huddle through drought and snow alike — and grocery shoppers may need to do the same.
— Agriculture markets Friday and weekly change:
| Commodity | Contract Month | Closing Price Feb. 13 | Change from Feb. 12 | Weekly Change |
| Corn | March | $4.31 3/4 | +1/2 cent | +1 1/2 cents |
| Soybeans | March | $11.33 | -4 1/4 cents | +17 3/4 cents |
| Soybean Meal | March | $309.20 | +$1.30 | +$5.60 |
| Soybean Oil | March | 57.08 cents | -46 points | +175 points |
| SRW Wheat | March | $5.48 3/4 | -3 3/4 cents | +19 cents |
| HRW Wheat | March | $5.42 1/2 | -11 1/2 cents | +11 1/4 cents |
| Spring Wheat | March | $5.71 3/4 | -5 3/4 cents | +1 3/4 cents |
| Cotton | March | 62.11 cents | -18 points | +105 points |
| Live Cattle | April | $240.625 | -2 1/2 cents | +$3.375 |
| Feeder Cattle | March | $366.15 | +42 1/2 cents | -$1.275 |
| Lean Hogs | April | $91.275 | -55 cents | -$6.675 |
| FARM POLICY |
— USDA unveils $1 billion in bridge aid for specialty crop growers
One-time ASCF payments target inflation, trade disruptions; 2025 acreage reporting due March 13
USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins announced that USDA will distribute $1 billion in one-time Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) payments to help producers facing market disruptions, elevated input costs and inflation — as well as export losses tied to what the department described as unfair foreign trade practices.
The new program, authorized under the Commodity Credit Corporation Charter Act and administered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), covers specialty crops and sugar that were not eligible under the previously announced Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA) program.
Rollins framed the initiative as part of President Donald Trump’s broader effort to stabilize the farm economy and counter inflationary pressures, arguing that specialty crop producers have faced a weakened safety net and delayed disaster aid in recent years. She tied the program to both economic and consumer food supply concerns, emphasizing the role of fruits and vegetables in U.S. diets.
What’s covered. ASCF applies to a broad range of specialty crops, including:
• Tree nuts (almonds, pistachios, walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts)
• Fruits (apples, citrus, grapes, berries, peaches, pears, cherries, melons, mangoes, avocados, etc.)
• Vegetables (potatoes, tomatoes, onions, sweet corn, peppers, lettuce, broccoli, squash and more)
• Other crops such as mushrooms, coffee, cacao, and sugar
• Dry edible beans and peas are included unless already covered under FBA
Payments will be based on 2025 planted acres, with commodity-specific payment rates expected by the end of March.
Key deadline and eligibility details
• Producers must report 2025 planted acreage to FSA by 5 p.m. ET on March 13, 2026, to qualify. Unlike some other USDA assistance programs, ASCF does not require crop insurance linkage.
However, USDA encouraged producers to use risk management tools authorized under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) to better manage future price volatility.
Policy and market implications. The announcement signals continued reliance on CCC authority for ad hoc support as Congress debates longer-term farm safety-net reforms. It also reflects the administration’s dual messaging — pairing inflation relief rhetoric with targeted commodity assistance.
For specialty crop states — particularly California, Florida, Washington and key vegetable-producing regions — the acreage-based structure could provide near-term liquidity support, though payment rates will determine how meaningful the bridge funding proves relative to elevated production costs.
| POLITICS & ELECTIONS |
— Amy Walter: Is Trump losing his grip on the white working class?
Economic frustration erodes the GOP’s once-dominant advantage with non-college white voters ahead of pivotal Senate and House races
President Donald Trump’s political foundation is showing signs of strain — including among white working-class voters who powered his 2024 victory. Writing in the Cook Political Report, Amy Walter notes that while Trump is losing ground with young voters, Latinos and independents, cracks are also forming within his previously dominant coalition of white voters without a college degree — largely tied to economic dissatisfaction.
In 2024, exit polls showed Trump winning white non-college voters by a commanding 34-point margin, with House Republicans carrying the group by 33 points. Today, according to the Cook Political Report PollTracker, Trump’s approval among that demographic is barely above water — 51% approve to 47% disapprove, a net +4%.
Inflation weighs heavily on lower-income whites. Recent data from digital outlet The Argument underscores how sharply support has declined among lower-income white voters. Director of Political Data Lakshya Jain found that among the poorest white voters, Trump’s approval has dropped 26 points compared to his 2024 margin. Among the wealthiest white voters, the drop is just eight points.
The key driver: cost-of-living pressures. Lower-income white voters who rank affordability as a top concern have seen Trump’s approval fall twice as much as those in the same income bracket who don’t prioritize those issues. Persistent inflation in essentials like food, rent and electricity appears to be cutting into Trump’s strongest base — particularly among voters most sensitive to day-to-day price increases.
Even within the broader white non-college electorate, Trump’s economic approval ratings are underperforming his overall approval. Across four recent national polls cited by Walter, his approval on the economy runs seven points lower than his overall standing with these voters — signaling that his once-core strength on economic management may now be a liability.
Senate control runs through working-class states. The implications extend well beyond Trump’s personal approval ratings. CNN analyst and Bloomberg columnist Ron Brownstein observe that in eight of ten battleground Senate contests, non-college white voters exceed their national share of the electorate — and significantly so in six of them. States like Ohio, Iowa, Alaska, Maine and Michigan will hinge disproportionately on this bloc.
Recent history reinforces the stakes. In 2024, Democratic Sens. Jon Tester (D-Mont.) and Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) both lost re-election after previously outperforming their party among white working-class voters. Brown, for example, won in 2018 while losing non-college white voters by 10 points; six years later, he lost that demographic by 26 points and fell short statewide by four.
The lesson: Democrats do not need to win white working-class voters outright — but they cannot afford landslide losses.
Generic ballot shows narrower GOP edge. Early generic ballot polling offers a tentative signal. Surveys from Fox News, Marquette University Law School and the New York Times/Siena show Republicans leading among white non-college voters by margins ranging from 11 to 29 points. While still sizable, those leads more closely resemble 2018 levels than the 34-point margin seen in 2024.
Candidate quality will also matter. Some centrist Democratic strategists worry that nominees closely aligned with progressive national figures could struggle to connect with culturally moderate working-class whites. Names floated in competitive races include Maine’s Graham Platner, Michigan’s Abdul El-Sayed and Minnesota’s Peggy Flanagan — candidates Republicans are likely to portray as tied to a broader progressive agenda that may not resonate in culturally conservative regions.
A coalition under strain. Walter writes the central question heading into 2026 is whether economic frustration outweighs partisan loyalty. If cost-of-living pressures continue and Trump’s economic approval remains soft, Republicans could see further erosion among white working-class voters — voters who historically vote at high rates and dominate many competitive states.
But if cultural alignment and brand loyalty prevail, the GOP may retain enough of its edge to hold key Senate seats and the House majority.
Over the next several months, Walter says to watch two indicators closely: Trump’s economic approval among white non-college voters and generic ballot margins within this group. If those numbers tighten further, the political map — especially in working-class-heavy states — could shift in ways neither party can ignore.
| WEATHER |
— NWS outlook: A cold front sweeping across the Southern/Central Plains into the East Coast will bring a threat for heavy rainfall and severe storms this weekend… …The next storm system enters the Pacific Northwest and brings beneficial rainfall to coastal zones and valleys and snowfall to the
mountain ranges… …Above average temperatures continue across much of the country.
