By Scout Nelson
Kansas crop conditions continue to face pressure from dry weather as planting and crop development activities move forward across the state. The latest weekly crop progress report from the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service showed that producers had 6.4 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending May 17, 2026.
Soil moisture levels remained a concern across Kansas. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 27% very short, 42% short, 30% adequate, and 1% surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 26% very short, 40% short, 33% adequate, and 1% surplus. The dry conditions continue to affect crop growth and field conditions in several areas of the state.
Winter wheat conditions remained weak during the reporting period. The crop rated 24% very poor, 34% poor, 27% fair, 14% good, and 1% excellent. Wheat development continued ahead of normal despite the dry weather. Officials reported that 93% of the winter wheat crop had headed, which was ahead of 82% last year and well above the five-year average of 72%. Wheat coloring reached 22%, also ahead of both last year and the average pace.
Corn planting continued across Kansas but remained slightly behind normal progress. Corn planted reached 63%, compared to 71% last year and the five-year average of 68%. Corn emergence reached 45%, slightly behind last year but close to the average level.
Soybean planting reached 53%, near last year’s progress and ahead of the five-year average. Soybean emergence reached 23%, matching last year and remaining near the normal pace. Sorghum planting reached 12%, equal to last year and slightly above the average level.
Cotton planting advanced to 45%, remaining near last year while moving ahead of the five-year average. Sunflower planting reached 10%, which was well ahead of both last year and the normal average.
Pasture and range conditions also reflected the impact of dry weather. Conditions rated 15% very poor, 24% poor, 29% fair, 28% good, and 4% excellent across the state.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: Kansas, Crops, Corn, Soybeans, Sorghum, Weather