Winter wheat planting reaches 60% in Central Kansas district
Farmers in the Central Kansas crop reporting district, which includes Saline County, had planted 60% of their winter wheat as of Oct. 18, according to the weekly Kansas Crop Progress and Condition report released Monday by the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service.
That matches the statewide figure of 60% and is up from 45% in the district a week earlier. In the Central district, 28% of the wheat had emerged, compared with 30% statewide, and corn harvest was 94% complete, ahead of the statewide pace of 70%.
Statewide, winter wheat planting and the soybean, sorghum and sunflower harvests remain behind their five-year averages.
Statewide
There were 4.7 days suitable for fieldwork in Kansas during the week. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 5% very short, 17% short, 66% adequate and 12% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 8% very short, 23% short, 63% adequate and 6% surplus.
Winter wheat planted was 60% statewide, behind 69% for the five-year average. Emerged was 30%, behind 43% average.
Corn harvested was 70%, near 73% average.
Soybean condition rated 13% very poor, 21% poor, 33% fair, 29% good and 4% excellent. Soybeans dropping leaves was 94%, near 92% average. Harvested was 41%, behind 53% average.
Sorghum condition rated 12% very poor, 25% poor, 39% fair, 20% good and 4% excellent. Sorghum mature was 80%, behind 91% average. Harvested was 30%, well behind 53% average.
Cotton condition rated 11% very poor, 28% poor, 37% fair, 20% good and 4% excellent. Cotton bolls opening was 93%, ahead of 85% average. Harvested was 12%, behind 21% average.
Sunflowers harvested was 23%, well behind 44% average.
Pasture and range conditions rated 12% very poor, 18% poor, 35% fair, 32% good and 3% excellent.
By district
Winter wheat planting ranged from 19% in the Northeast district to 70% in the Northwest. Corn harvest ranged from 47% in the Northwest to 98% in the Southeast.
| District | Wheat planted | Wheat emerged | Corn harvested |
|---|---|---|---|
| Northwest | 70% | 50% | 47% |
| West Central | 63% | 30% | 56% |
| Southwest | 68% | 35% | 82% |
| North Central | 46% | 10% | 65% |
| Central | 60% | 28% | 94% |
| South Central | 61% | 35% | 93% |
| Northeast | 19% | 8% | 60% |
| East Central | 24% | 7% | 81% |
| Southeast | 34% | 10% | 98% |
| State | 60% | 30% | 70% |
Data for the report were provided at the county level by the USDA Farm Service Agency, K-State Extension and other reporters across the state. The weekly release reports figures by district and statewide, not by individual county.
Source: USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, Kansas Crop Progress and Condition, released Oct. 19, 2026.
