By Scout Nelson
For the week ending May 18, 2025, Kansas farmers had 6.3 days suitable for fieldwork, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. This allowed for solid progress across multiple crops.
Topsoil moisture was rated 58 percent adequate, while subsoil moisture was rated 57 percent adequate. A smaller percentage of fields experienced moisture shortages, with 11 percent of topsoil and 12 percent of subsoil rated very short.
Winter wheat continued to grow steadily, with 96 percent joined and 84 percent headed. Coloring reached 7 percent, behind last year’s 21 percent, but is still progressing. Wheat condition was rated 49 percent good to excellent, with only 6 percent rated very poor.
Corn planting reached 73 percent, near both last year and the five-year average. Corn emergence stood at 53 percent, slightly ahead of last year and above the average. The corn condition was strong, with 60 percent rated good to excellent.
Soybeans showed fast progress, with 57 percent planted, a notable increase over last year and the five-year average. Emergence was at 25 percent, also ahead of normal levels.
Sorghum planting was at 13 percent, cotton reached 48 percent, and sunflowers stood at 4 percent planted. Cotton planting showed strong improvement over past averages.
Pasture and range conditions were mostly favorable, with 48 percent rated good and 6 percent excellent. Only 4 percent were rated very poor.
This report reflects a positive week of field activity in Kansas, with strong progress in planting and crop development, backed by mostly adequate soil moisture and healthy pasture conditions.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-frankoppermann
Categories: Kansas, Crops, Corn, Wheat, Sorghum, Weather