Bolstered by timely rain, the emerging 2007 winter wheat crop appears to be off to a good start, Kansas Agricultural Statistics Service reported this week.

In its weekly crop weather report, the agency rated 10 percent of the Kansas crop excellent and 47 percent good. Thirty-six percent was in fair condition, while 7 percent of the crop was in poor to very poor shape.

Wheat planting has progressed ahead of last year and the five-year average. About 93 percent of the crop has been planted, the agency reported, and about 71 percent has emerged.

Meanwhile, farmers have been busy harvesting their other crops:

¢ About 82 percent of the corn has been harvested.

¢ Sorghum harvest was 41 percent complete.

¢ About 64 percent of soybeans have been harvested.