Farmers make progress planting corn acreage

? Kansas farmers put more of their planned corn crop in the ground last week, but at a pace that still trails the five-year average, the Kansas Agricultural Statistics Service said Monday.

In its weekly update, the agency reported that farmers statewide had an average of 3.7 days suitable for fieldwork.

Corn planting jumped ahead to 76 percent complete, compared with just 49 percent complete the previous week and a five-year average of 88 percent. Thirty-seven percent is emerged, compared with a normal pace of 52 percent.

Wheat condition last week remained largely unchanged at 13 percent very poor, 19 percent poor, 30 percent fair, 25 percent good and 13 percent excellent. Ninety-nine percent of the wheat is jointed, slightly ahead of average, but just 50 percent is headed, compared with a normal 71 percent.

Among other crops, 9 percent of planned soybean acreage has been planted, slightly behind average, while sorghum planting stood far behind normal at 3 percent complete.

Moisture levels remained generally favorable. Topsoil moisture was rated 5 percent short, 68 percent adequate and 27 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture was rated 8 percent very short to short, 74 percent adequate and 18 percent surplus.

Range and pasture conditions were rated 1 percent very poor, 12 percent poor, 34 percent fair, 46 percent good and 7 percent excellent.

Feed grain supplies were rated 3 percent very short, 14 percent short, 82 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus. Hay and forage supplies were rated 10 percent very short, 35 percent short, 54 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus.