Agriculture Department says recent rains limit need for irrigation in parts of Nebraska

Nebraska's crops are making good progress, but crops that lack irrigation are starting to show signs of stress in areas where there hasn't been much rain lately.

The U.S. Agriculture Department released its weekly report on the state's crops Monday.

The USDA says farmers in central Nebraska were able to reduce irrigation last week because healthy amounts of rain fell.

In eastern Nebraska, cooler weather slowed crop development while warmer temperatures in western Nebraska helped dry more hay.

The USDA estimated that 70 percent of both the corn and soybean crops are in good or excellent condition.

About 48 percent of the state's pastures are also in good or excellent shape.