April 18, 2008

Wheat conditions rated 1% very poor, 6% poor, 33% fair, 53% good, and 7% excellent, better than last week and last year. One percent of the wheat was jointed, behind 3% last year and 9% average.

Planted oats increased to 38%, ahead of last year's 32% but behind average of 57%. Six percent of the oats had emerged, equal to last year but 14% behind normal.

Alfalfa conditions rated 2% poor, 25% fair, 65% good, and 8% excellent, well above last year.

Pasture and range conditions rated 2% very poor, 7% poor, 31% fair, 51% good, and 9% excellent, well above last year. Spring calving was 82%complete. Calf losses rated 9% below average, 89% average, and 2% above average.

Temperatures

Temperatures for the week continued cool, averaging 12 degrees below normal, with highs in the mid to upper 50s and lows in the 20s throughout the state.

April 14, 2008, Nebraska Field Office
USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service