U.S. Soil Moisture Picture Remains Mixed

WASHINGTON - Mar 30/04 - SNS -- Moisture conditions remain mixed across the major crop production areas in the United States.

In its latest weekly crop status report, the USDA noted rain eased long-term precipitation deficits in the upper Midwest, including the Dakotas and the upper Mississippi Valley, and maintained adequate to locally excessive soil moisture levels in winter wheat areas across the southern and eastern Corn Belt.

On the central and northern High Plains, however, only light showers provided little relief to drought-stressed wheat. Meanwhile in Oklahoma, locally heavy rain aided pastures and winter grains but slowed planting preparations.

Elsewhere on the southern Plains, including much of Texas, dry weather persisted through a third consecutive week, following highly beneficial rainfall in February and early March.

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