The Kansas corn crop is faring well so far this season despite unusually late planting.

But industry experts say the late start makes the crop especially vulnerable to damage.

Jere (JEHR’-ee) White, executive director of the Kansas Corn Growers Association, said Tuesday that Kansas farmers ideally plant corn by the first week in April. But rain kept farmers out of fields at planting time, so much of the corn was planted in late May and early June.

That means the crop will be pollinating during the hot, dry Kansas summer. An early freeze before the corn is ready for harvest could be devastating.

This week’s condition report showed 68 percent of the corn in good to excellent condition.

Kansas farmers put 3.8 million acres into corn this season.