Kansas

Dry conditions and warm temperatures during the week ending March 20 allowed producers 6.5 days suitable for fieldwork, according to the Kansas Agricultural Statistics Service, March 21, with many producers calving and planting oats.

Topsoil moisture was rated 2 percent very short, 25 percent short, 71 percent adequate, and 2 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 4 percent very short, 24 percent short, 70 percent adequate, and 2 percent surplus.

Wheat condition is rated 1 percent very poor, 5 percent poor, 27 percent fair, 53 percent good, and 14 percent excellent. Eight percent of the Wheat is jointed, 6 points behind last year and 1 point behind the 5-year average. Wheat freeze damage reports indicate 88 percent of the Wheat has not been damaged, 10 percent with light damage, and 2 percent with moderate damage. Early reports estimate that 2 percent of Kansas Wheat has been lost to winterkill. Reports of wind damage indicate 84 percent of the Wheat with no damage, 12 percent with light damage, and 4 percent with moderate damage. Insect reports indicate 85 percent with no infestation, 13 percent with light infestation, and 2 percent with moderate infestation. Disease reports indicate 77 percent with no presence, 19 percent with light presence, and 4 percent with moderate presence. Forty-five percent of oats have been planted, compared with 39 percent last year and 41 percent for the five-year average.

Range and pasture conditions are rated 3 percent very poor, 10 percent poor, 46 percent fair, 37 percent good, and 4 percent excellent. Feed grain supplies are rated 1 percent very short, 3 percent short, 89 percent adequate, and 7 percent surplus. Hay and forage supplies are rated 1 percent very short, 4 percent short, 80 percent adequate, and 15 percent surplus. Stock water supplies are rated 2 percent very short, 15 percent short, 81 percent adequate, and 2 percent surplus.

Date: 3/24/05