Kansas Wheat Harvest Surges Ahead as Crop Conditions Remain Mixed

Kansas farmers had 4.5 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending June 21, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service.

The state's winter wheat harvest moved quickly during the week, with 58% of the crop harvested. That is well ahead of 18% at the same point last year and the five-year average of 26%.

Winter wheat maturity also ran ahead of normal. USDA reported 94% of the crop mature, compared with 70% last year and a five-year average of 69%.

Crop condition remained a concern for wheat. USDA rated Kansas winter wheat 23% very poor, 32% poor, 31% fair, 14% good and 0% excellent.

Moisture supplies were mostly adequate, though dry areas remain. Topsoil moisture was rated 9% very short, 17% short, 56% adequate and 18% surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 12% very short, 20% short, 56% adequate and 12% surplus.

Corn condition was stronger, with 52% rated good and 12% excellent. USDA reported 96% of corn emerged, near both last year's 94% and the five-year average of 95%. Corn silking reached 12%, ahead of 4% last year and 5% on average.

Soybeans were 91% planted and 80% emerged, both ahead of last year and near the five-year average. Soybean condition was rated 58% good and 7% excellent, with 29% fair, 5% poor and 1% very poor.

Sorghum planting reached 77%, near both last year's 76% and the five-year average of 78%. Sorghum condition was rated 50% good, 4% excellent, 39% fair, 5% poor and 2% very poor.

Cotton condition was rated 10% very poor, 17% poor, 47% fair, 25% good and 1% excellent. Cotton squaring reached 23%, ahead of 5% last year and 18% on average. Sunflower planting reached 66%, behind 71% last year and the five-year average of 74%.

Pasture and range conditions were rated 7% very poor, 12% poor, 30% fair, 44% good and 7% excellent.