Crop Progress and Condition for the Week Ending April 13, 2014.
For the week ending April 13, 2014, conditions began warm and dry but ended with a storm system that dropped temperatures and precipitation, according to USDA’s National Agriculture Statistics Service. Temperatures averaged four to six degrees warmer than normal before dropping on Sunday. Heaviest amounts of precipitation were recorded in the eastern third of Kansas.
The much needed rain, along with areas of snow, was welcome and should improve wheat and pasture conditions. Producers took advantage of the dry, warm conditions early in the week to plant row crops, fertilize, and burn range. There were 6.0 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 27 percent very short, 42 short, 31 adequate, and 0 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 26 percent very short, 44 short, 30 adequate, and 0 surplus.
Field Crops Report: Winter wheat condition rated 10 percent very poor, 20 poor, 44 fair, 25 good, and 1 excellent. Winter wheat jointed was 31 percent, near 33 last year but behind 47 average.
Corn planted was 11 percent complete, ahead of 3 last year and 9 average. Corn emerged was 2 percent, ahead of 0 last year and 0 average.
Livestock, Pasture and Range Report: Cattle and calf conditions were 1 percent very poor, 5 poor, 32 fair, 55 good, and 7 excellent. Cattle and calf losses were 22 percent below normal, 77 normal, and 1 above normal. Sheep and lamb conditions were 0 percent very poor, 2 poor, 36 fair, 59 good, and 3 excellent. Sheep and lamb losses were 16 percent below normal, 82 normal, and 2 above normal. Hay and forage supplies rated 6 percent very short, 13 short, 77 adequate, and 4 surplus. Stock water supplies were rated 14 percent very short, 24 short, 62 adequate, and 0 surplus.
