Market News

Most of Southern Plains short of soil moisture

Crop condition ratings for hard red winter wheat declined again over the past week, due to more dry and windy weather around the Southern Plains.

The western half of Kansas remains locked in a drought and around the state, 55% of topsoil and 57% of subsoil are short to very short of moisture. 34% of Kansas’ wheat crop is rated good to excellent, with 61% in fair to poor condition.

In Oklahoma, drought conditions are present across the entire state with 75% of topsoil and 82% of subsoil short to very short of moisture. Only 1% of the wheat crop is called excellent, with 71% in fair to poor shape.

Rainfall around Texas last week was light and scattered with 73% of the state reporting short to very short topsoil moisture. 13% of Texas’ wheat is called good to excellent with another 68% fair to poor. 15% of Texas’ corn crop is planted, compared to 40% last year and 31% for the five year average.

USDA’s national weekly crop progress reports resume April 7.