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Wheat sees some improvement
Kansas
Statewide, there were 4.9 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending March 21, and topsoil moisture was rated 5 percent very short, 18 percent short, 71 percent adequate, and 6 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 17 percent very short, 28 percent short, 51 percent adequate, and 4 percent surplus, according to the Kansas Agricultural Statistics Service, March 22.
Wheat condition was rated 11 percent very poor, 17 percent poor, 30 percent fair, 36 percent good, and 6 percent excellent. This is a slight improvement over last week. Sixteen percent of the Wheat is jointed, compared to 9 percent last year and 8 percent for the 5-year average. Wheat freeze damage reports indicate 72 percent of the Wheat has not been damaged, 21 percent with light damage, 6 percent with moderate damage, and 1 percent with severe damage. Reports indicate that 6 percent of Kansas Wheat has been lost to winterkill. Wind damage assessments indicate 67 percent of the Wheat with no damage, 25 percent with light damage, 7 percent with moderate damage, and 1 percent with severe damage.
Army cutworms remain present throughout central Kansas. Spraying continues with treated Wheat recovering nicely. Insect reports indicate 70 percent with no infestation, 23 percent with light infestation, 6 percent with moderate infestation, and 1 percent with severe infestation. Disease reports indicate 82 percent with no presence, 17 percent with light presence, and 1 percent with moderate presence.
Forty-two percent of oats have been planted, compared with 41 percent last year and 50 percent for the 5-year average.
Range and pasture conditions are rated 17 percent very poor, 21 percent poor, 40 percent fair, 21 percent good, and 1 percent excellent. Feed grain supplies are rated 2 percent very short, 12 percent short, 83 percent adequate, and 3 percent surplus. Hay and forage supplies are rated 3 percent very short, 16 percent short, 75 percent adequate, and 6 percent surplus. Stock water supplies are rated 7 percent very short, 18 percent short, 70 percent adequate, and 5 percent surplus. Calving continues throughout the state with few problems reported.
Date: 3/25/04
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