Heatwave drives major planting push

Record high temperatures and wind finally brought relief to farmers with wet fields.

The USDA says winter wheat condition improved four points to 49 percent good to excellent with 79 percent of the crop was jointed. 

Sugarbeets were 94 percent planted along with 60 percent of oats, 31 percent of corn, and 32 percent of soybeans.

A dramatic shift in the weather quickly pushed tree fruit into various forms of bloom.  Parsnip, rhubarb, and asparagus harvest picked up for vegetable growers while planting and transplants continued.

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