Winter Wheat Moisture Update

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Drought Broken? Not Yet. 

 Why do I focus on the winter wheat belt this time of year? Because that crop was planted in September and October, 2012, and is in the ground -- but dormant -- at this time. Unlike, say, corn and soybeans which are harvested in fall, winter wheat is harvested in May in Texas moving north to southern Nebraska in July. Last year's crop was greatly reduced by the drought and this year's did not get off to a good start for the same reason. Things are looking up a bit. 

Here is the moisture over the winter wheat belt from the just-ended storm.

The map below, as of Saturday, was the moisture (in additional to normal) needed to break the drought.  So, add in the amounts above and you can get an idea where you stand right up to today.

And, here is the total moisture since January 1.

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