On-going lack of precipitation and temperatures reaching into the 100’s continued to take their toll on Kansas agriculture this past week.
The condition of all Kansas row crops, except sunflowers, continued to deteriorate last week with the continued high temperatures and only scattered rainfall. Kansas corn producers had harvested 12 percent of the crop for grain by week’s end, ahead of 1-percent last year.
The condition of the corn crop declined slightly to 38-percent very poor, 32-percent poor, 22- percent fair, 8-percent good, and none as excellent. This continues to be the worst corn condition since the current data series began in 1985.
The condition of the soybean crop declined to 34-percent very poor, 36-percent poor, 25- percent fair, 4-percent good, and 1-percent rated as excellent. This is the worst soybean condition since the current data series began in 1985.
The condition of the sorghum crop declined to 30-percent very poor, 36-percent poor, 26- percent fair, 7-percent good, and 1-percent excellent. This is now the worst sorghum condition since the series began in 1985.
The condition of the cotton crop declined to 6-percent very poor, 20-percent poor, 45-percent fair, 25-percent good, and 4-percent excellent.
The condition of the sunflower crop was 16-percent very poor, 29-percent poor, 43-percent fair, 11-percent good, and 1-percent excellent.
The fourth cutting of alfalfa was 16-percent complete, ahead of none for last year and 4-percent for the 5-year average.
The range and pasture conditions continued to decline and were rated at 62-percent very poor, 28-percent poor, 9-percent fair, and only 1-percent good. This continues to be the worst pasture and range condition since the series started in 1995.
Hay and forage supplies declined to 37-percent very short, 37-percent short, and 26-percent adequate, while stock water supplies continued to decline in the dry weather to 41-percent very short, 32-percent short, and 27-percent adequate.
Kansas producers were weaning calves early while some continued to cull herds.
Grazing and haying of CRP acres was being taken advantage of throughout the state to supplement depleted pastures.
Producers were hauling water to their herds along with forage and feed supplements