Kansas: More rain needed to replenish soil, ponds

Report: More precipitation still needed to replenish soil moisture, stock ponds in Kansas

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) -- Kansas Agricultural Statistics Service says more precipitation is still needed across the state to replenish soil moisture and stock ponds.

The agency reported Monday that topsoil moisture was short to very short in 46 percent of the state. Subsoil moisture levels were short to very short across 81 percent of Kansas.

The agency's weekly snapshot of winter wheat showed 29 percent of the Kansas crop rated in poor to very poor condition. About 40 percent is in fair shape, while 29 percent is in good and 2 percent excellent condition.

KASS also said that just 13 percent of the Kansas winter wheat crop has jointed. That compares with 57 percent at the same time last year and a long-term average of 22 percent.