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Wheat progressing, even with recent weather
Kansas
Statewide, there were 5.6 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending April 18, and topsoil moisture was rated 9 percent very short, 32 percent short, 58 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus, according to the Kansas Agricultural Statistics Service, April 19. Subsoil moisture was rated 25 percent very short, 26 percent short, 47 percent adequate, and 2 percent surplus.
Sixty-eight percent of the Wheat is jointed, compared to 58 percent last year and 59 percent for the 5-year average. Wheat condition is rated 12 percent very poor, 20 percent poor, 30 percent fair, 33 percent good, and 5 percent excellent. Wheat freeze damage reports indicate 66 percent of the Wheat has not been damaged, 22 percent with light damage, 10 percent with moderate damage, and 2 percent with severe damage. Although temperatures dropped below freezing throughout the state last week, the impact on the Wheat crop is unknown at this time. Wind damage assessments indicate 68 percent of the Wheat with no damage, 22 percent with light damage, 8 percent with moderate damage, and 2 percent with severe damage. Insect reports indicate 71 percent with no infestation, 21 percent with light infestation, 7 percent with moderate infestation, and 1 percent with severe infestation. Disease reports indicate 81 percent with no presence, 17 percent with light presence, and 2 percent with moderate presence. Ninety-one percent of oats have been planted, 4 points behind last year and 3 points behind the 5-year average. Thirty-one percent of corn has been planted, compared with 24 percent last year and 19 percent for the 5-year average.
Pasture and range conditions are rated 19 percent very poor, 23 percent poor, 29 percent fair, 26 percent good, and 3 percent excellent. Some pasture burning is taking place in the eastern half of the state. Feed grain supplies are rated 2 percent very short, 11 percent short, 85 percent adequate, and 2 percent surplus. Hay and forage supplies are rated 2 percent very short, 19 percent short, 73 percent adequate, and 6 percent surplus. Stock water supplies are rated 11 percent very short, 18 percent short, 70 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus.
Date: 4/22/04
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