The crop was rated 6-percent excellent, 34-percent good; 32-percent fair; 17-percent poor and 11-percent very poor. The report rated topsoil moisture at 8-percent very short, 20-percent short, 65-percent adequate and 17-percent surplus.

     Data collected was provided at the county level by USDA Farm Service Agency and the KSU Extension Service. Sue Schulte, director of communications for the Kansas Corn Commission, said the information is a weekly guide for farmers and industry leaders.

     "The Kansas Crop Progress report takes into consideration all of the factors that impact corn production," Schulte said. "It's also a solid analysis of other Kansas crops and a report we watch throughout the growing season Obviously, this year's crop condition exceeds last year's and indicates we should have a pretty solid harvest."

     Although cold, wet weather slowed spring planting, Kansas growers planted 3.1 million acres of corn in a two-week time period in May. Nationally, corn farmers planted at a record pace, planting about 41 million acres of corn in one week in May after planting delays

     Late summer rains that most areas of Kansas enjoyed boosted the Kansas corn crop and saved crops in many areas of the state that had been suffering from a dry spell that lasted from mid-June to mid-July.

     Following a drought year, Kansas farmers are showing their dedication to producing an abundant crop to meet the needs of their customers. Most Kansas corn is fed to livestock, or used as a feedstock for ethanol production, where a third of the grain used returns as distillers grains, a high-nutrient livestock feed.

     Optimum temperatures have allowed farmers to catch up on haying and herbicide spraying activities, along with wheat planting preparation. Additionally, most row crops benefited from the warmer temperatures. Sorghum heading was 86-percent, ahead of 76 last year and an 81 average. Sorghum crop conditions rated 4-percent very poor, 10 poor, 32 fair, 46 good, and 8-percent excellent.

     Soybeans were 91-percent blooming, behind 94 last year with crop conditions rated 2-percent very poor, 8-percent poor, 30 fair, 51 good, and 9-percent excellent.