What’s Going on With Kansas Crops?

USDA published the latest Crop Progress report on Monday, Sept. 22. Here’s a closer look at recent weather and the status of most important crops for Kansas in mid-September.

Weather

Tina Sullivan, northeast area agronomist for Kansas State (K-State) Extension, and Matthew Sittel, assistant state climatologist, wrote in an Agronomy eUpdate that precipitation has been quite variable around the state in September. Parts of Lincoln and Ellsworth County have received over 9 inches of rain this month, and central Kansas has been the wettest region so far this month. Meanwhile, parts of northwest Kansas have had little precipitation. 

Precipitation is likely statewide this week, they said. Below-normal precipitation is slightly favored in western Kansas for the last week of September, with equal chances of above, below, and near normal precipitation in eastern Kansas. 

In Monday’s Crop Progress report, USDA said farmers had 4.3 days suitable for fieldwork the week that ended September 21, compared to 5.7 days this time last year.

USDA rated Kansas topsoil moisture 3% very short, 14% short, 68% adequate, and 15% surplus. Subsoil moisture conditions in the state were rated 6% very short, 19% short, 65% adequate, and 10% surplus.

Corn

Acreage Estimates

According to the June 30 Acreage report, Kansas farmers planted 6.2 million acres of corn in 2025. This is down about 100,000 acres from the previous year, said USDA.

Pest and Disease Pressure

A map published by the Crop Protection Network shows there are eight Kansas counties with positive tar spot cases. 

According to Kansas Corn, 15 counties have reported corn stunt disease. 

Corn Dented

USDA reported that 97% of Kansas’s corn crop has reached the dent stage. The five-year average is 96%. Last year at this time 97% of the state’s corn had reached dent.

Corn Mature

The latest Crop Progress report said 70% of Kansas’s corn crop has reached maturity. The five-year average is 74%. Last year at this time 83% of the state’s corn had reached maturity.

Corn Harvested

USDA reported that 20% of Kansas’s corn crop has been harvested. The five-year average is 26%. Last year at this time 39% of the state’s corn had been harvested.

Corn Condition

USDA rated Kansas corn 4% very poor, 8% poor, 27% fair, 45% good, and 16% excellent for the week that ended Sept. 21.

The 18-state average rating is 3% very poor, 7% poor, 24% fair, 49% good, and 17% excellent.

Soybeans

Acreage Estimates

The Acreage report published June 30 said Kansas planted 4.4 million acres of soybeans this year. That is down 130,000 acres from 2024.

Soybeans Dropping Leaves

The latest Crop Progress report said 41% of Kansas soybeans are dropping leaves. The five-year average is 50%, and 52% this time last year. 

Soybeans Harvested

One percent of Kansas soybeans have been harvested, behind the 4% five-year average. Last year at this time, 4% were harvested. 

Soybean Condition

USDA rated Kansas soybeans 2% very poor, 6% poor, 24% fair, 56% good, and 12% excellent for the week that ended Sept. 21.

The 18-state average rating is 4% very poor, 8% poor, 27% fair, 48% good, and 13% excellent over the same time period.

Cotton

Acreage Estimates

The USDA Acreage Report said Kansas planted 140,000 acres of cotton, up 9,000 acres from last year. 

Cotton Bolls Opening

The latest Crop Progress report said 22% of Kansas cotton is opening bolls. This is far behind the five-year average of 60% and last year’s 64%. 

USDA hasn’t reported any cotton harvested yet, but Sullivan and Logan Simon, southwest area agronomist, said in an Agronomy eUpdate that this year has been a rollercoaster for Kansas cotton.

As the season nears an end, they offer these recommendations for estimating potential crop yield. 

• Accurate yield estimates start with identifying five to ten representative areas in the field.
• Quality estimates of harvestable bolls are essential for accurate yield estimation. Do not count bolls smaller than the diameter of a quarter.
• Harvest efficiency and turnout can be affected by various factors, including year (weather), variety, and overall crop health.

Cotton Condition

USDA rated Kansas cotton 11% poor, 31% fair, 42% good, and 16% excellent for the week that ended Sept. 21. None were rated as very poor.

The 15-state average ratings are 6% very poor, 12% poor, 35% fair, 37% good, and 10% excellent over the same time period.

Sorghum

Acreage Estimates

The USDA Acreage Report said Kansas planted 2.9 million acres of sorghum, down 100,000 acres from last year. 

Sorghum Coloring

The Crop Progress Report said 86% of Kansas sorghum reported coloring, on track with the 87% five-year average and 89% last year. 

Sorghum Mature

The Crop Progress Report said 38% of Kansas sorghum reached maturity, which is also the five-year average. This time last year 47% had reached maturity.  

Sorghum Harvested

Four percent of the Kansas sorghum crop has been harvested. This time last year 10% of the state’s crop had been harvested, though the five-year average is 6%. 

Sorghum Condition

USDA rated Kansas sorghum 4% very poor, 7% poor, 26% fair, 45% good, and 18% excellent for the week that ended Sept. 21. 

The six-state average ratings are 3% very poor, 7% poor, 26% fair, 46% good, and 18% excellent over the same time period.

Winter Wheat 

Winter Wheat Planted

USDA noted 9% of winter wheat has been planted in Kansas. The five-year average is 16%. Last year at this time 15% of Kansas winter wheat had been planted.

Winter Wheat Emerged

One percent of Kansas winter wheat has emerged. Last year at this time 2% of Kansas winter wheat had emerged. The five-year average is 2%. 

Pasture and Range

USDA rated pasture and range conditions in the state 4% very poor, 10% poor, 27% fair, 51% good, and 8% excellent.

The 48-state average ratings are 13% very poor, 23% poor, 30% fair, 26% good, and 8% excellent over the same time period.