Winter wheat planting for next year's crop now underway in Kansas

Kansas growers have begun seeding their fields for next year's winter wheat crop.

The National Agricultural Statistics Service reported Monday that winter wheat planting is at 2 percent. That is about the same as last year at this time and the average for early September.

Topsoil moisture statewide is running about 66 percent adequate to surplus as wheat planting gets underway.

Kansas farmers also continued harvesting corn between thunderstorms that brought rain to much of the state last week. The agency reports 12 percent of the Kansas crop has been cut, about 3 points ahead of last year's pace.

About 9 percent of the sorghum crop has now matured, and 11 percent of soybeans have begun dropping leaves.