The Drought Monitor report no real change except for our area but an intensification in extreme Southwest Kansas. Also appearing is a swath of abnormally dry counties just to the north of Barton County. The six to ten day outlook (April 29 to May 3) indicates above normal temperatures and below normal precipitation for the state. Good news for area corn producers for corn planting. Wheat producers should be better able to evaluate potential freeze damage from the extremely cold temperatures. Looking out eight to 14 days (May 1 to 7) also indicates above normal precipitation and temperatures. Does this means the frost danger is over? Hopefully, but we have snow in recent years the first of May. The 30 day outlook (May) is still calling for of equal chances of below or above normal temperatures and above normal precipitation with the 90 day (May through August) outlook predicting equal chances of above or below normal temperatures and above normal precipitation. Before today’s topic, a brief note. Some damage to developing wheat heads and tillers is being observed in our area. Over the next week or more, likely more damage will become visible. It doesn’t mean we have “lost” the crop but have at least seen the top come off some fields.