Concerns For Winter Wheat Crop Across

When you take a look at the national winter wheat crop, the news isn't all bad.  USDA said north of Nebraska, dormancy is in fine shape.

However, USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey said its a long, different story in the southern plains.

"Where we've seen nary a drop of rain or flake of snow going back to October or November...depending on location. And the wheat continues to fall apart there because we are now seeing enough warmth that the crop is demanding some moisture and it doesn't have it."

For example new reports from Texas show 64% of that state's wheat is in poor to very poor condition.  And across the southern plains, Rippey said the clock is ticking.

"We are running out of time, and over the next few weeks, if we don't see some substantial moisture across the southern half of the Great Plains, some of that crop will be written off, obviously, as it is in very poor condition."

By the way there is no rain in the 7-10 day forecast for the southern plains.

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