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Most of soil moisture levels rated adequateKansas The state of Kansas received light precipitation in the eastern third of the state during the week ending March 16, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Kansas Field Office, March 17. Producers averaged 4.1 days suitable for field work. Topsoil moisture was rated at 8 percent very short, 16 percent short, 64 percent adequate, and 12 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated at 7 percent very short, 15 percent short, 69 percent adequate, and 9 percent surplus. Primary farm activity involved fertilizing pastures, top dressing wheat, beginning weed control, and seeding oats. Wheat is estimated at 4 percent jointed, compared to 8 percent in 2007 and 5 percent for the five-year average. Wheat condition was rated 5 percent very poor, 18 percent poor, 35 percent fair, 36 percent good, and 6 percent excellent. Wind damage to the wheat crop across the state was 87 percent no damage, 10 percent having light damage, 2 percent with moderate damage, and 1 percent with severe wind damage. Freeze damage to wheat has been rated at 86 percent with no damage, 11 percent with light damage, and 3 percent of the wheat has moderate freeze damage. Overall winterkill to the 2008 wheat crop was rated at 83 percent with no winterkill, 14 percent with light winterkill, and 3 percent with moderate winterkill. Early reports place the amount of the wheat crop acreage that has been lost to winterkill is 4 percent of the total. Insect infestation of the wheat crop is rated at 92 percent none, and 8 percent light. Disease infestation is rated at 88 percent none, 11 percent light, and 1 percent moderate. Oats planted is 30 percent complete, compared to 27 percent in 2007 and 34 percent for the five-year average. Range and pasture conditions were rated at 10 percent very poor, 17 percent poor, 36 percent fair, 34 percent good, and 3 percent excellent. Feed grain supplies were rated 2 percent very short, 11 percent short, 85 percent adequate, and 2 percent surplus. Hay and forage supplies were rated 2 percent very short, 17 percent short, 77 percent adequate, and 4 percent surplus. Stock water supplies were estimated at 4 percent very short, 13 percent short, 78 percent adequate, and 5 percent surplus. Livestock activities primarily involved calving and lambing around the state. 3/24/08
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