The drought monitor report as of Tuesday, Nov. 10, indicates little change from last week. Almost two-thirds of Barton County is abnormally dry, with a sliver of the northwest out of drought. From about the river south and into northern Stafford County, there is moderate drought. The driest conditions are in most of South Central Kansas and over into the eastern half of Southwest Kansas.

The six- to 10-day forecast (Nov. 16-20) indicates a 60% to 70% chance of above-normal temperatures and a 50% to 60% chance of above-normal precipitation. The eight- to 14-day forecast (Nov. 18-24) indicates a 40% to 60% chance of above-normal temperatures and a 50% to 70% chance of above-normal precipitation. Above-average temperatures, meaning the upper 60s to around 70, are not terrible and are good for establishing wheat. The chance of above-normal precipitation in the period is good news, but remember that normal for November here is less than 2 inches. With no hard frost in the near future, wheat, especially later-planted wheat, should be able to establish its root system and tillers, even with decreasing daylight.

The holiday season is almost here. It’s the time of year for gift giving and wish lists. As things slow down, a bit anyway, for producers, they have some time to think about what they would like as this year closes and 2027 arrives. Today, let’s take a moment to think about what might be on a Kansas producer’s wish list.

• Likely, number one on the list is a Farm Bill that is several years late. There are several major snags. The public needs to remember that the majority of Farm Bill money is directed toward SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. The coupling goes back decades. The purpose was twofold. One, tying an ag bill to food aid for the disadvantaged was a way to get those representing more urban districts and states with relatively little ag on board. And vice versa: Combining food aid with ag helped get those representing more rural districts and farm-heavy states to go along with the food aid. That coupling worked well until the last three bills. One side wants more food assistance rules and cuts in addition to what was in the One Big Beautiful Bill, while the other wants changes to the ag aid side. It’s difficult, and maybe bordering on unlikely, that it will make it out of Congress to the White House before the seating of the next Congress. This uncertainty is hard on producers and all those involved in all aspects of the food supply chain and financing.
• Decreasing input prices, or at least price stability, is likely number two. The significant increase in input prices over the last 18 months, particularly fuels and fertilizers, combined with output prices, has made it difficult to impossible for producers to break even. It also affects operating loans and, combined with higher interest rates, makes the squeeze harder. This is the result of several factors: the tariff wars, the war in Ukraine and, this year, the addition of the Iran war. Commodities are priced globally, and that has a major effect on input prices.
• Finally, in Kansas, precipitation.

Dr. Victor L. Martin is the agriculture instructor/coordinator for Barton Community College. He can be reached at 620-792-9207, ext. 207, or martinv@bartonccc.edu.