Nebraska’s winter wheat crop is off to a bad start because of this year’s drought.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture says Nebraska’s winter wheat has been slow to emerge and isn’t in very good condition because it has been so dry.

During the past two months, less than one inch of precipitation has fallen in the western two-thirds of Nebraska. Most of the state remains in an extreme drought.

About 17 percent of the winter wheat crop rated in good condition last week, and none of it was considered excellent. Normally, 65 percent of the wheat crop rates good or excellent at this time of year.

The USDA says about 92 percent of the wheat crop has emerged, but some farmers are reporting thin or spotty stands of the crop.