By Scout Nelson
Harvest season in Kansas is off to a slow start as heavy rainfall and wet conditions have left crop progress well behind last year’s pace. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports that precipitation levels across much of the state are about 200% higher than normal, causing delays for key crops.
According to USDA data, harvest progress is lagging significantly: corn is 29% harvested compared to 51% last year, soybeans are 5% harvested compared to 10% last year, sorghum is 7% harvested compared to 16%, and sunflowers are 6% harvested compared to 10% last year.
The National Weather Service reported that southwest Kansas experienced an unusually wet September, following a wetter-than-average August. Meteorologists note that the unusual cycle of wet and dry conditions complicates harvest timing. While September brought heavy rain, forecasts for early October predict mostly dry weather.
“Rainy summers are great for crop yields, but if the rain continues into the harvest season, it could pose problems for crops and farmers,” said Evan Beidron, 27 News Meteorologist.
Soybeans are especially sensitive to inconsistent weather. Frequent cycles of drying and rewetting can limit yields and cause quality losses. For other crops, prolonged rain can delay harvests by weeks, increase the risk of disease and rot, and add extra drying costs for producers.
Despite the setbacks, weather experts expect a turnaround. “The longer-term outlook seems to be calling for dry and above normal temperatures,” said Lucas Haag, associate professor at Kansas State Southwest. “This is good for fall harvest, so it’s quite likely we’ll catch up to, and potentially exceed historical harvest rates quite quickly.”
While farmers continue to face uncertainty, the coming months of October and November appear more favorable for fieldwork. If dry weather holds, Kansas producers may recover from delays and bring harvest progress closer to normal averages.
Photo Credit:gettyimages-xander-d
Categories: Kansas, Crops, Harvesting, Weather