A seed drill from the beginning of the 20th century. (Photo via commons.wikimedia.org)
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — The latest government agricultural snapshot notes that Kansas farmers have been busy preparing wheat fields for fall seeding. The National Agricultural Statistics Service reported Monday that while northern tier counties got the most rain last week, spotty rains in the southern half have left some farms dry. Pastures and crops missed by recent rains are stressed amid warmer-than-normal temperatures across the state. About 13 percent of the corn crops in Kansas have now matured. The agency rates corn conditions as 16 percent poor to very poor, 30 percent fair, 42 percent good and 12 percent excellent. Thirteen percent of both the sorghum and soybean crops in Kansas are rated in poor to very poor condition. Twenty-five percent of pastures and ranges are also in poor to very poor shape.