April 6, 2007

Wheat conditions improved due to the recent moisture and rated 1% very poor, 6% poor, 30% fair, 54% good, and 9% excellent, above last year.

Planted oats increased to 15%, ahead of last year's 13% but behind the average of 23%. Only a few fields had emerged.

Sugarbeet planting was just starting in the west with 2% complete.

This week's snow brought much needed moisture to the northern Panhandle but little precipitation was recorded in major wheat producing areas of the southern Panhandle. Rain across much of the state moved soil moisture supplies above a year ago. Soil temperatures averaged 5 to 10 degrees above year ago levels with producers gearing up for the planting season.

Nebraska Field Office
USDA's National Agricultural Statistic Service