Weekly State Crop Report for April 1

The cold weather continued throughout the state last week with the average temperature being almost 7 degrees below normal.

Statewide temperatures averaged 39.2 degrees. Total precipitation received across the state last week was .35 inches below normal and totaled only .57 inches, but soil moisture levels continued to improve last week as the heavy snow from the previous weekend slowly melted.

As a result of the weather patterns the past month soil temperatures have not reached the required level for planting and soil moisture levels across the state are too wet for planting also.

Very little fieldwork has been accomplished and has been limited to activities such as spreading fertilizer early in the day when the ground is still frozen. Weight limits have been posted on many roads limiting grain movement off the farm. Winter wheat is starting to come out of dormancy with reports of some yellowing in fields needing warmer weather. Oats planting has barely begun with only 2 percent reported planted when the average is usually 24
percent.

Topsoil moisture was rated at 1 percent very short, 5 percent short, 72 percent adequate, and 22 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated at 6 percent very short, 23 percent short, 64 percent adequate, and 7 percent surplus.

Winter wheat conditions were rated at 1 percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 27 percent fair, 59 percent good, and 9 percent excellent.