By Robert Pore
robert.pore@theindependent.com

As planting season approaches, April so far has been favorable for precipitation with most areas of Central Nebraska above normal for the month.

Thursday's rains brought 0.75 of an inch to Grand Island and brought the monthly total to 2.84 inches. Aurora received 1.10 inches of rain, bringing its monthly total to 3.57 inches. Hastings had 1.10 inches of rain, bringing its monthly total to 2.74 inches. Kearney had 0.46 of an inch of precipitation, which brought its monthly total to 0.91 of an inch. Ord had 0.20 of an inch, bringing its monthly total to 2.04 inches.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service, Nebraska Field Office, reported earlier this week that cooler weather has dropped soil temperatures across the state on an average of 5 degrees, staying too cool for germination.

But the moisture has helped small grains, pastures and alfalfa, which the ag statistics service said should respond quickly with warmer temperatures.

The ag statistics service reported that wheat conditions rated 1 percent very poor, 6 percent poor, 33 percent fair, 53 percent good and 7 percent excellent, better than last week and last year. Wheat jointed was at 1 percent, behind 3 percent last year and the 9 percent average.

Alfalfa conditions rated 2 percent poor, 25 percent fair, 65 percent good and 8 percent excellent, well above last year.

The cold, wet conditions, the ag statistics service said, challenged livestock producers, making care of new born calves and feedlot cattle difficult.

Pasture and range conditions rated 2 percent very poor, 7 percent poor, 31 percent fair, 51 percent good and 9 percent excellent, well above last year.

Spring calving was 82 percent complete. Calf losses rated 9 percent below average, 89 percent average and 2 percent above average.

Weather conditions this weekend through Thursday for Grand Island, according to the National Weather Service in Hastings, has temperatures in the mid-70s Saturday to near 80 on Sunday.

Cooler weather will return on Monday with highs in the lower 60s to the upper 50s through Wednesday. A chance of showers and thunderstorms are likely starting Wednesday night, with a slight chance of showers on Thursday. Temperatures on Wednesday will be in the lower 40s and near 60 degrees on Thursday.