Drought Intensifies: 66% of KS Corn in Poor Condition

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A new government report contains grim numbers on the status of major crops across Kansas. In its weekly crop condition report, Kansas Agricultural Statistics Service said Monday that 66 percent of the corn crop is in poor to very poor condition. Twenty-four percent is in fair condition, with 9 percent rated good and only 1 percent rated in excellent condition. About 2 percent of the corn acreage has been harvested for grain, in the earliest start to the corn harvest in Kansas history. Other major Kansas crops are not faring much better, with many stands withering amid a brutal drought and triple-digit temperatures burn up crops. The agency reported 59 percent of the soybean crop is in poor to very poor condition. About 56 percent of sorghum falls into that category.