OMAHA, Neb. (AP) – Most Nebraska farmers are still waiting to start planting as the early spring gets a touch of frost.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture says in the weekly crop report on Monday that while conditions were favorable for planting last week, only a limited number of fields were planted with most farmers waiting for the crop insurance initial plant date.
Temperatures averaged 3 degrees above normal in the western half of the state, while the eastern half was up to 10 degrees warmer.
March 2012 was the warmest on record for the central U.S., which could lead to an increased risk for freeze damage – which could happen this week. A freeze warning is issued for central and eastern Nebraska into Tuesday morning. Lows could dip into the upper 20s.