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Another wet week keeps producers out of fieldsNebraska For the week ending April 20, another wet week for much of the east and south kept anxious producers out of the field, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Nebraska Field Office, April 21. Warmer weather and windy conditions at the end of the week raised soil temperatures and began to dry soils. The first fields of corn were planted in western counties; however, the majority of corn producers were still waiting on warmer, dryer conditions. Pastures and rangeland continue to green up and grow slowly. Alfalfa has also been slow to come out of dormancy, due to the cool temperatures. Panhandle producers continue to struggle with dry conditions with moisture needed for pastures and wheat. Temperatures averaged 1 to 2 degrees above normal in the Panhandle and southwestern Nebraska, while temperatures were near normal in the rest of the state. Temperatures ranged from highs in the mid to upper 80's in the southwest to lows in the high teens in portions of the eastern part of the state. The Panhandle received very little precipitation, while the Southeast District recorded up to 2 inches of moisture. Wheat conditions rated 1 percent very poor, 5 percent poor, 39 percent fair, 45 percent good, and 10 percent excellent, above the 50 percent good or excellent of last year and the average. Wheat jointed was at 5 percent, behind last year's 25 percent and 10 days behind 21 percent average. Alfalfa rated 3 percent poor, 28 percent fair, 61 percent good, and 8 percent excellent. Conditions are well above last year's 28 percent good or excellent condition and the average of 53 percent good or excellent. Oats planted increased to 57 percent, behind last year's 60 percent and a week behind 78 percent average. Oats emerged was at 14 percent, behind last year's 19 percent and 30 percent average. Corn planted was underway mainly in the west but limited to 2 percent state wide. This is behind both last year at 6 and the five-year average of 8 percent. Pasture and range conditions rated 6 percent poor, 33 percent fair, 54 percent good, and 7 percent excellent, well above last year. Spring calving was 88 percent complete. Calf losses rated 8 percent below average, 90 percent average, and 2 percent above average. 4/28/08 Date: 4/30/08
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