Minnesota has seen a wide range of temperatures in February.
The USDA says the month started cold and windy, increasing frost depth in areas with little to no snow cover and raising the difficulty of calving and lambing.
Wide swings in temperate at mid-month led to livestock producers monitoring herd health closely as they clean out lots and move feed ahead of a shift to warmer weather in spring.
Soil moisture levels are a concern ahead of planting, with farmers starting to purchase seed and fertilizer.