The condition of the winter wheat crop in the southern U.S. Plains deteriorated again last week, raising the need for widespread coverage from storms expected late this week.
Eastern parts of Kansas and Oklahoma received showers last week, but western areas are desperate for rain.
The Oklahoma panhandle has received only 18 percent of normal moisture since March 1.
Dust storms have been common in the region.
Twenty-nine percent of the Kansas crop was rated good to excellent April 6, similar to last year, but Oklahoma and Texas are considerably worse than last year.
