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Drought impacting Kansas harvest

A central Kansas farmer says ongoing drought has had a significant impact on corn harvest.

Brian Sieker tells Brownfield…

“Some of it was really rough and some of it was ok,” he says. “We were still probably 30 bushels off APH, on the best.”

According to USDA’s weekly crop progress report, 41% of the crop is harvested in Kansas, ahead of the 26% five-year average, with 98% dented and 85% mature.

Sieker says a lack of spring moisture caused him to not plant soybeans this year.

“I’m pretty thankful for that because a lot of the ones around here might not make too well,” he says.

Soybean conditions are 51% good to excellent in Kansas, with 5% of the crop harvested.

USDA says 16% of winter wheat has been planted, with 2% emerged.

Sieker says he plans to begin planting winter wheat this week after getting about an inch of moisture from weekend storms.