TOPEKA – Producers in many areas of central and eastern Kansas received beneficial moisture last week, slowing harvesting of remaining row crops slightly while western areas of the state received only light amounts of rain.

Eight stations received over 3 inches of rain and an additional 23 stations received between 1 and 3 inches. Howard led the state with 3.94 inches of rain, followed by Winfield – Arkansas City with 3.59 inches and Manhattan with 3.54 inches.

Temperatures were mostly above normal with highs ranging from the mid-60’s to the mid-70’s while lows ranged from 18 degrees at Oberlin to the low 30’s.

Kansas farmers averaged 4.1 days suitable for field work last week with the Northwest and West Central Districts having 5.9 days suitable, while the Northeast District had only 2.1 days suitable.

Topsoil moisture supplies improved considerably to 18 percent very short, 23 percent short, 55 percent adequate, and 4 percent surplus.

This is the first week since the end of June that topsoil moisture has been greater than 50 percent adequate.

Subsoil moisture supplies were rated 33 percent very short, 31 percent short, 35 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus.

Farmers continued to make progress with harvesting remaining fall crops, as well as applying fall chemicals and fertilizers.

Rain slowed harvest progress in some areas last week although producers in western areas were able to continue harvesting their crops as cotton harvest advanced 17-points, sunflower harvest advanced 14-points, and sorghum harvest advanced 10-points. Only 2-percent of the corn and 4- percent of the soybeans remain to be harvested. Both are ahead of the 5-year average.

Sorghum harvest was 89-percent complete by the end of last week, behind 95-percent last year but ahead of 78-percent for the 5-year average.

94-percent of the winter wheat crop has emerged, ahead of 88-percent for both the previous year and the 5-year average. Wheat condition was rated as 3-percent very poor, 9-percent poor, 42-percent fair, 40-percent good, and 6-percent excellent.

Cotton harvest advanced to 55-percent complete as of Sunday, behind 59-percent last year but ahead of the 5-year average of 34-percent. Eighty-six percent of the sunflower crop has been harvested, behind 89-percent last year but ahead of the 5-year average of 77-percent.