Kansas Crop Report

Several days of rain have been a mixed blessing for Kansas farmers and ranchers.

Kansas Agricultural Statistics Service said Monday the past week’s rain halted early corn planting in eastern sections. Corn planting is only 5 percent complete statewide, far behind the late-April average of 20 percent.

But the agency also reports the much-needed moisture is helping replenish farm ponds and soil moisture.

In its weekly update, the agency said supplies of topsoil moisture are running short to very short in about 38 percent of Kansas, down from 40 percent one week ago. It will take longer to replenish subsoil moisture, now rated 68 percent short in Kansas.

The condition of Kansas rangelands and pastures is still rated poor to very poor across 68 percent of the state.

A new report says warmer temperatures are needed before Kansas farmers can assess the freeze damage to their winter wheat crop.

Kansas Agricultural Statistics Service reported Monday that more than half the state’s wheat acres had no freeze damage. But the agency also says growers in the western third of Kansas are still evaluating the impact of freezing temperatures.

The weekly snapshot shows 43 percent of the winter wheat has now jointed. That’s well behind the 96 percent of a year ago and the late-April average of 63 percent.

Overall, the agency pegged the condition of this year’s wheat crop as 37 percent poor to very poor. It estimated that 33 percent was in fair shape, with 27 percent rated as good and 3 percent as excellent.