Dry Conditions Persist as Central Kansas Corn Moves Toward Maturity

Dry soil conditions remained widespread across Kansas last week as corn development in central Kansas continued ahead of several statewide benchmarks, according to the latest U.S. Department of Agriculture crop report.

For the week ending August 16, USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service reported that 60% of Kansas topsoil moisture was rated short or very short. Subsoil moisture was rated short or very short across another 60% of the state. Farmers had 6.2 days suitable for fieldwork.

In the central crop-reporting district, which includes the Salina area, 99% of corn had reached the silking stage, 85% had reached dough, 51% was dented and 9% was mature.

Statewide, 42% of the corn crop was rated good or excellent, while 29% was rated poor or very poor. Corn dented reached 41%, ahead of 35% at the same point last year and the five-year average of 34%. Eight percent was mature, compared with 1% last year and a 4% average.

Kansas soybeans were rated 54% good or excellent, with 67% setting pods. Sorghum was rated 27% good or excellent, while 33% was rated poor or very poor. Sorghum heading reached 62%, behind both last year and the five-year average of 70%.

Pasture and range conditions were rated 37% good or excellent and 30% poor or very poor.

The USDA report is based on county-level information supplied by Farm Service Agency offices, K-State Research and Extension and other agricultural reporters across Kansas.