WICHITA, Kan. (AP) – A new report says the Kansas winter wheat

crop continues to develop two to three weeks ahead of normal, with

roughly 6 percent of the crop statewide already headed.

Monday’s Kansas Agricultural Statistics report also says that 79

percent of the wheat is now jointed. That compares with 30 percent

last year and a five-year average of 32 percent at this point in

the season.

Recent rain has helped improve the wheat’s condition. The crop

is rated 1 percent very poor, 5 percent poor, 29 percent fair, 52

percent good and 13 percent excellent.

Kansas farmers have also begun planting this season’s corn crop,

with about 6 percent in the ground statewide.