Kansas Ag Connection - Rain Aids Kansas Pastures and Wheat, Slows Corn Planting

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Rain Aids Kansas Pastures and Wheat, Slows Corn Planting
Kansas Ag Connection - 04/18/2017

For the week ending Sunday, temperatures were six to ten degrees above normal, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. Central and eastern counties continued to receive rainfall, while most western counties remained dry. The additional rainfall aided pasture and wheat development, but continued to delay corn planting in many areas. Powdery mildew and stripe rust have been identified in some wheat fields. There were 4.0 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture rated 4 percent very short, 13 short, 70 adequate, and 13 surplus. Subsoil moisture rated 5 percent very short, 20 short, 70 adequate, and 5 surplus.

Winter wheat condition rated 4 percent very poor, 12 poor, 33 fair, 45 good, and 6 excellent. Winter wheat jointed was 65 percent, behind 75 last year, but ahead of the five-year average of 58. Headed was 9 percent, ahead of 3 last year, and near 6 average.

Corn planted was 9 percent, well behind 32 last year, and behind 18 average.

Cattle and calf conditions rated 0 percent very poor, 2 poor, 21 fair, 69 good, and 8 excellent. Calving progress was 91 percent complete, near 90 last year. Cattle and calf death loss rated 1 percent heavy, 55 average, and 44 light.

Sheep and lamb conditions rated 0 percent very poor, 1 poor, 14 fair, 82 good, and 3 excellent. Lambing progress was 96 percent complete. Sheep and lamb death loss rated 1 percent heavy, 60 average, and 39 light.

Hay and roughage supplies rated 1 percent very short, 7 short, 83 adequate, and 9 surplus.

Stock water supplies were 1 percent very short, 7 short, 80 adequate, and 12 surplus.

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