Weather Aids Fall Harvest

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) – Kansas farmers are making good progress in

getting fall crops out of the field thanks to excellent harvest

weather. But those same dry conditions are causing some wheat

growers to delay planting until moisture conditions improve.

Kansas Agricultural Statistics Service reported Monday the corn

harvest is two weeks ahead of normal, with 69 percent of the crop

harvested by the weekend. About 24 percent of the sorghum has also

been cut along with 19 percent of the soybeans.

Meanwhile, wheat planting is lagging behind normal with just 45

percent planted. That was up sharply from just 21 percent a week

earlier, but well behind the five-year average of 53 percent

planted by the start of October.