Fargo, ND (AgNews890.com) – The USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service is out with their first weekly crop and condition report for North Dakota. NASS indicated that on average producers plan to begin fieldwork on April 14th. Drought conditions still remain a problem in parts of the state with topsoil moisture supplies rated 23% very short, 23% short, 51% adequate, and 3% surplus.

The report also indicates that the winter wheat condition is mixed with 2% rated very poor, 25% poor, 47% fair, 23% good, and 3% excellent.

Pasture and Range Report: Cattle and calf conditions rated 3% very poor, 7% poor, 30% fair, 51% good, and 9% excellent. Cattle and calf death loss rated 4% heavy, 60% average, and 36% light. Calving progress was 38% complete, behind 46% last year, and near 41% for the five-year average. Sheep and lamb conditions rated 1% very poor, 5% poor, 24% fair, 61% good, and 9% excellent. Sheep and lamb death loss rated 1% heavy, 59% average, and 40% light. Lambing progress was 53% complete, behind 67% last year and 62% average. Shearing progress was 75% complete,
behind 80% last year.

Hay and roughage supplies rated 28% very short, 35% short, 37% adequate, and 0% surplus.

Stock water supplies rated 16% very short, 30% short, 54% adequate, and 0% surplus.

Data for this news release were provided at the county level by USDA Farm Service Agency,