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Kansas remains dryKansas Most of Kansas remained dry again during the week ending March 15 with precipitation being limited to the Eastern half of the state, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Kansas Field Office, March 16. Producers averaged 4.7 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture is rated as 24 percent very short, 32 percent short, 40 percent adequate, and 4 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture is rated as 9 percent very short, 27 percent short, 63 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus. Primary farming activities include applying fertilizer, planting oats, and treating wheat for mites. The wheat condition is rated as 4 percent very poor, 13 percent poor, 41 percent fair, 38 percent good, and 4 percent excellent. Wind damage to wheat has been rated at 81 percent with no damage, 14 percent with light damage, 4 percent with moderate damage, and 1 percent with severe damage. Freeze damage has been rated at 90 percent with no damage, 9 percent with light damage, and 1 percent with moderate freeze damage. Overall winterkill to the 2009 wheat crop is rated at 84 percent with no winterkill, 12 percent with light winterkill, 3 percent with moderate winterkill, and 1 percent with severe winterkill. Insect infestation of the wheat crop is rated at 86 percent none, 13 percent light, and 1 percent moderate. Disease infestation is rated at 82 percent none, 17 percent light, and 1 percent moderate. Oats planted is 71 percent complete, compared to 30 percent in 2007, and 32 percent for the 5-year average. Range and pasture conditions were rated as 8 percent very poor, 19 percent poor, 34 percent fair, 34 percent good, and 5 percent excellent. Feed grain supplies were rated as 8 percent short, 90 percent adequate, and 2 percent surplus. Hay and forage supplies were rated as 12 percent short, 81 percent adequate, and 7 percent surplus. Livestock activities for the week include calving and lambing.
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