TOPEKA – Cooler than normal temperatures combined with limited precipitation across Kansas last week helped farmers harvest their fall crops at a rapid pace, according to the latest report from the Kansas Agricultural Statistics Service.
Freezing temperatures were wide spread across the state, with only a few exceptions in the south.
Herington recorded the coldest temperatures of the week at 21 degrees, while average temperatures were 10 degrees below normal in Clay Center and Ottawa.
Drought conditions continued for most of the state last week as only one of the 52 stations reported more than a half inch of rain, Pittsburg with 1.09 inches, while Hutchinson and Dodge City were nearly 15 inches below normal for the year.
Kansas farmers averaged 6.6 days suitable for field work last week as all districts had over 6 days suitable.
Topsoil moisture supplies declined from the previous week to 32 percent very short, 33 percent short, 34 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 44 percent very short, 31 percent short, and 25 percent adequate. Farmers continued to harvest fall crops and plant any remaining winter wheat.
Harvest progress was aided by fair weather last week allowing farmers to harvest 10-percent of the corn acreage and 15-percent of the soybean acreage in the state. 15-percent of the corn was still left to be harvested by Sunday, compared to 8-percent last year
Leaves are dropping on 97-percent of the soybean acreage, the same as both last year and the 5-year average. 74-percent of the soybeans were reported as harvested, behind 75-percent last year, but ahead of 60-percent for the 5-year average.
86-percent of the sorghum crop has matured, well behind 97-percent for the previous year but the same as the 5-year average. Sorghum harvest progressed 12-points last week and was 37- percent complete by Sunday, behind 70-percent last year and 40-percent for the 5-year average.
The crop’s condition was rated as 27-percent very poor, 26-percent poor, 24-percent fair, 17- percent good, and 6-percent excellent.
Kansas winter wheat producers have only 8-percent of their crop remaining to be planted as of Sunday bringing the total planted to 92-percent, compared to 91-percent last year and the 5-year average of 86-percent. 70-percent of the crop had emerged, ahead of 61 percent the previous year and 65-percent for the 5-year average.
Wheat condition was rated as 4-percent excellent, 39-percent good, 45-percent fair, 9-percent poor, and 3-percent very poor.
87-percent of the cotton crop had bolls opening, behind 100-percent in 2010, but ahead of the 5-year average of 82-percent. 10-percent of the cotton has been harvested, compared to 11 percent last year and the condition was rated as 21-percent very poor, 16-percent poor, 38- percent fair, 22-percent good, and 3-percent excellent.
18-percent of the sunflower crop has yet to turn brown, with 92-percent of the crop now turned brown, ahead of 2010 at 83-percent and the 5-year average of 82-percent. 38- percent had been harvested, behind 43-percent last year, but ahead of the 5-year average of 32-percent. The condition was rated as 6-percent very poor, 14-percent poor, 36-percent fair, 38-percent good, and 6-percent excellent.
The fourth cutting of alfalfa was 82-percent complete, well behind 96-percent last year and 94- percent for the 5-year average.