Report: Corn planting under way in Kansas

Report: Corn planting under way in Kansas, more rain needed to replenish subsoil moisture

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) -- The latest crop update from the Kansas Agricultural Statistics Service shows improving topsoil moisture conditions for areas that have received significant rain or snow.

But the agency said Monday more precipitation is needed to have an impact on subsoil moisture, which is now short to very short across 73 percent of the state. Topsoil moisture in is faring somewhat better with 40 percent reported short to very short.

The latest snapshot shows Kansas growers have planted only about 3 percent of their planned corn acreage. That's far behind the 16 percent planted by this time last year or the 10 percent average for mid-April.

Winter wheat condition was reported to be 33 percent poor to very poor, 37 percent fair, 27 percent good and 3 percent excellent.