Kansas Winter Wheat 87% Planted

The first crop condition update released since the partial government shutdown ended shows Kansas farmers well on their way to planting the 2014 winter wheat crop.

The National Agricultural Statistics Service reported Monday that 87 percent of the wheat crop has been planted. About 61 percent of it has now emerged.

The report says that 63 percent of the wheat is in good to excellent condition, with 35 percent rated fair and 2 percent rated poor.

Harvest of fall crops has also made significant strides in Kansas since the last official government snapshot.

The agency reports that 68 percent of the corn harvest is complete. Sorghum harvest has reached the 36 percent mark, while soybean harvest was at 60 percent. About 34 percent of the sunflowers have also been cut.