Cool, wet conditions and abnormal weather patterns have slowed planting season for Kansas corn growers this spring. However, recent weather conditions have allowed rapid progress in the quest to plant 4.6 million acres of corn in Kansas, the fourth largest acreage since 1936.

Last week alone, Kansas corn growers planted 1.8 million acres, approximately 70-percent of the total number of acres predicted for 2013. Since the state's farmers began planting two weeks ago, 3.17 million acres have been planted. Nationally, corn farmers planted at a record pace, planting about 41 million acres of corn in one week.

As the weather has cooperated, farmers have seized the opportunity to plant around the clock. Technology and the personal drive to accomplish more, at a faster pace, have increased productivity significantly, says Kansas Corn Commissioner Ken McCauley of White Cloud. McCauley said his family was able to plant much of their corn a few weeks ago, and finished their corn planting last week. Now the family is busy planting soybeans.

"Corn farmers in Kansas and other states needed a week of drier, warmer weather and we got just that," McCauley said. "Our family has been working as a team to plant our crops safely and efficiently."

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.

According to a U.S. Department of Agriculture report released on Sunday, 71-percent of projected corn acres had been planted across the country, while only 28 percent were planted a week prior. While progress lagged behind the five-year average by 37 points last week, farmers made significant progress, with Kansas, Michigan, Missouri Nebraska and North Dakota all increased planting progress by more than 40 points last week.