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A Look Back at Kansas Crops
by Rob Benyshek, Area Manager, Ulysses, Kan.
and
Roger Unruh, Area Manager, Halstead, Kan.
Corn
Corn yields in southwest Kansas were variable. Circles with 700 gpm wells or more on 120 acres had yields well above 200 bushels/acre. As wells drop off to 500 gpm or less, yields decreased.
Dryland corn in south central Kansas was poor to good, averaging 40 to 70 bushels/acre. Irrigated corn performed variably, anywhere from 170 to 190 bushels/acre. Acreage planted on center-pivot irrigation fields did the best, whereas flood-irrigated corn didn’t yield quite as well.
Wheat
Irrigated yields were average to above average for southwest Kansas. Generally, rains came too late to help on about 50% of the dryland acres.
The wheat crop for south central Kansas was good and, in some cases, very good. Dryland wheat averaged about 60 bushels/acre. Jagger and 2145 Hard Red Winter Wheat were two popular varieties planted.
Cotton
Cotton appears to have a good chance of working in western Kansas on lower gallon wells and dryland. If cotton makes around two bales/acre this year on irrigated fields, cotton acres will increase in southwest Kansas.
Sorghum
Dryland sorghum in south central Kansas planted early averaged poor yields while sorghum planted mid-June averaged better yields.
Soybeans
Dryland soybeans in south central Kansas performed poorly because of the dry, hot weather. Some fields averaged 15 to 20 bushels/acre. Irrigated soybean yields were about 10% to 15% lower than last year due to sudden death syndrome and the number of days with temperatures over 100°. Pods were not filled out and production values were lowered.
Southwestern Kansas Outlook
The prolonged drought has affected yields for the 2003 dryland crops in southwest Kansas. Although some areas have received significant rains this year, the majority of the subsoil moisture has depleted. Dryland wheat acreage for next year has three feet of subsoil moisture or less to work with. It will take more than eight inches of moisture to get back to a 5- to 6-foot profile for the 2004 wheat crop. Wheat stubble ground that will be row crop this spring needs significant moisture during the winter to have a chance at a fair crop next summer.
South Central Kansas Outlook
For 2004, expect an increase in wheat acreage planted. Acreage planted for milo and dryland corn should remain fairly consistent. Producers should consider planting milo to be harvested in early September. The crop’s early planting and harvest opens up time for another crop on fields. Soybean production in south central Kansas has been decreasing, even though the price has been good. There were many successes with no-till acres in irrigated row crops. The extra residue helps to better irrigate the crop, and increases in this tactic are expected.
There is tremendous concern regarding the high cost of fertilizer and natural gas. Many irrigators are switching from natural gas and propane to diesel. While many production costs are increasing, fertilizer and natural gas prices lead the way.
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