The first U.S. Department of Agriculture Crop Progress Report for the new crop season is days away, but states are reporting some preliminary numbers.

USDA Meteorologist Brady Rippey looked at winter wheat conditions in the Southern Plains.

“We have seen deterioration in those winter wheat conditions,” said Rippey, which he attributed to drought-like conditions, heat and blowing dust.

“We’re looking at well over half of the Texas winter wheat crop rated ‘very poor to poor,’ 59 percent. Oklahoma not fairing much better with 44 percent rated ‘very poor to poor,’” said Rippey.

The dryness is also impacting pasture and rangeland conditions in the Southwest and Southern Plains.

“Arizona, 55 percent of the range and pastureland rated ‘very poor to poor.’ Also more than half in Texas, 51 percent ‘very poor to poor.’ Oklahoma not far behind at 43 percent,” said Rippey.

He added that pasture and rangeland conditions are more favorable in the Southeast and lower Midwest thanks to significant moisture.

Source - http://www.rfdtv.com/