Cooler Temperatures, Rain Help Kansas Crops

Cooler temperatures and scattered rainfall in Kansas over the past week helped improve the condition of row crops a bit.

But the picture remained fairly dismal.

The Kansas Agricultural Statistics Service said in its weekly update Monday that about 69 of the state’s soybeans and 68 percent of the sorghum crop are in poor to very poor condition.

The agency also said range and pasture conditions have improved somewhat, with 86 percent now rated poor to very poor.

Meanwhile, the corn harvest is rapidly progressing. Fifty-one percent of the corn crop was harvested as of Sunday, about three weeks ahead of last year’s pace.

Kansas growers have begun planting winter wheat. Five percent of seeding is now complete.