Wheat heading behind average

For the week ending May 20, there were 5.1 days suitable for fieldwork, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Northern Plains Regional Field Office, Kansas. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 21 percent very short, 30 short, 47 adequate, and 2 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 21 percent very short, 37 short, 41 adequate, and 1 surplus.

Winter wheat condition rated 15 percent very poor, 32 poor, 38 fair, 14 good, and 1 excellent. Winter wheat jointed was 96 percent. Headed was 71 percent, well behind 93 last year, and behind 80 for the five-year average.

Corn planted was 82 percent, ahead of 69 last year, and near 79 average. Emerged was 56 percent, ahead of 46 last year and 49 average.

Soybeans planted was 50 percent, well ahead of 25 last year and 24 average. Emerged was 21 percent, ahead of 12 last year and 8 average.

Sorghum planted was 8 percent, near 4 last year and 6 average.

Cotton planted was 30 percent, well ahead of 7 last year, and ahead of 12 average.

Sunflowers planted was 7 percent, ahead of 2 both last year and average.