|
|
Cool, damp weather plays major role in harvestKansas Western Kansas experienced big temperature swings last week from highs only in the 30s and 40s early in the week ending Oct. 18, then reaching up to the 70s and 80s by the weekend, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service, Kansas Field Office, Oct. 19. Precipitation blanketed the state, though only McPherson County received over an inch of rain. Precipitation was otherwise light early in the week across the rest of the state, limiting producers to an average of only 1.5 days suitable for fieldwork, and less than half of a day in the soaked southeast. Topsoil moisture supplies across Kansas were rated as 1 percent very short, 4 percent short, 75 percent adequate, and 20 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies were rated as 3 percent very short, 8 percent short, 80 percent adequate, and 9 percent surplus. Activities for the week included cutting alfalfa, harvesting corn, sorghum, sunflowers, and soybeans, along with planting winter wheat. Cool, damp weather played a major role in slowing harvest this past week, with sorghum progress significantly effected as harvest only advanced by 2 points, despite maturity advancing 15 points. Seventy-two percent of the sorghum crop has reached maturity, ahead of 68 percent last year but behind the 5-year average of 80 percent. Farmers have harvested only 10 percent of the sorghum crop, behind 2008 at 20 percent and 36 percent for the 5-year average. Sorghum condition is rated as 1 very poor, 6 percent poor, 25 percent fair, 50 percent good, and 18 percent excellent. Corn harvest was also slowed by the weather and is now 30 points behind average. Forty-four percent of the corn crop has been harvested, behind both last year at 51 percent and the 5-year average of 74 percent. Corn condition is rated as 2 percent very poor, 5 percent poor, 23 percent fair, 48 percent good, and 22 percent excellent. Ninety-four percent of the soybeans are dropping leaves, ahead of 90 percent last year but behind 95 percent for the 5-year average. Forty-two percent of the crop has been harvested, behind 2008 at 52 percent and the 5-year average of 57 percent. The condition of the soybean crop is rated as 2 percent very poor, 4 percent poor, 15 percent fair, 50 percent good, and 29 percent excellent. The precipitation and wet soils across the state made planting difficult, as farmers only advanced wheat planting by 3 points. Seventy-three percent of the winter wheat has been planted, behind last year's 81 percent and the 5-year average of 83 percent. Forty-eight percent has emerged, behind 65 percent for the previous year and 59 percent for the 5-year average. Fifty-six percent of the cotton has bolls opening, behind 84 percent for last year and 74 percent for the 5-year average. Cotton condition is rated as 3 percent very poor, 8 percent poor, 34 percent fair, 45 percent good, and 10 percent excellent. Ninety-four percent of the sunflowers are in the ray flower dry stage, behind both the previous year and the 5-year average of 100 and 99 percent, respectively. Eighty-nine percent have bracts yellow, behind both 2008, at 95 percent, and the 5-year average of 94 percent. Sixty-nine percent of sunflowers are mature, ahead of 66 percent last year but behind 77 percent for the 5-year average. Eleven percent has been harvested, behind last year at 12 percent and 29 percent for the 5-year average. Sunflower condition is rated as 2 percent very poor, 9 percent poor, 25 percent fair, 54 percent good, and 10 percent excellent. Eighty percent of the fourth cutting of alfalfa has been completed, behind the previous year and the 5-year average at 93 and 94 percent, respectively. Range and pasture condition was rated as 2 percent very poor, 7 percent poor, 27 percent fair, 56 percent good, and 8 percent excellent. Feed grain supplies were rated as 4 percent short, 90 percent adequate, and 6 percent surplus. Hay and forage supplies were rated as 1 percent very short, 3 percent short, 80 percent adequate, and 16 percent surplus. Stock water supplies were rated as 2 percent very short, 5 percent short, 83 percent adequate, and 10 percent surplus.
Copyright/Privacy
Copyright 1995-2011. High Plains Publishers, Inc. All rights reserved. Any republishing of these pages, including electronic reproduction of the editorial archives or classified advertising, is strictly prohibited. If you have questions or comments you can reach us at High Plains Journal 1500 E. Wyatt Earp Blvd., P.O. Box 760, Dodge City, KS 67801 or call 1-800-452-7171. Email: webmaster@hpj.com |
|
