The drought monitor report as of Tuesday, May 26 shows only 30% of the state is totally out of dry conditions, the eastern third. Abnormally dry makes up 12%. Barton County moves from moderate to extreme drought as you move from north to south. The recent precipitation isn’t included here.

Depending on where you are, you received some substantial precipitation the past week to very little. Even in the area that received heavy rains, we were in extreme drought, so while conditions may have improved, we all need much more rain. The six to ten day forecast (June 1-5) indicates normal to leaning slightly above normal for temperatures and the same for precipitation. The eight to 14-day forecast (June 3-9) indicates a 40 to 50% chance of leaning above normal for temperatures and near normal for precipitation.

Monday is June 1. Let’s look and see where we are crop-wise. What started out as a promising 2026 wheat crop heading into January, has been bombarded with drought, excessive heat, a late freeze, and pest pressure. The predicted abandonment rate is well over 10% and some producers grazing wheat chose to graze it out. Even what irrigated wheat there is will most likely be average to good at best. This is definitely the year to have wheat insured. Much of the wheat, especially south of the river, is close to harvest. Estimates from the annual wheat tour are as follows:

• An average yield of 38.9 bushels/acre
• A total yield of 218 million bushels. Not as bad as 2023 but close.
• Abandonment of fields from 15 to 20% instead of the typical 5 to 6%.
• Overall, in the country the lowest yield in the last 60 years is expected.
• Naturally, prices are stronger. Enough said about the wheat crop.

While some areas have received significant precipitation over the last week or so, many areas are in severe to extreme drought with the eastern half of Kansas in decent shape. In Barton County, the northern half received significant rainfall in some areas while the southern half is extremely dry. Much of the corn crop is in the ground and emerged plants are from just emerged to V3. Rain is needed. Soybeans are being planted with some before last week’s cool spell. Some has emerged. Grain sorghum is starting to go in the ground. Especially for the corn crop, chinch bugs may be a problem this year. On the plus side after the hot weekend before Memorial weekend, temperatures have been normal to slightly below. This, with higher humidity, helps a bit.

Now with a developing El Nino, how does the summer look? June is leaning 40 to 50% above normal temperatures with near normal precipitation. And this outlook carries through August. The one variable is the El Nino and if it is as strong and deep as some are predicting. For the Southeast U.S., if it does, it should dampen the hurricane season.

To sum up, even with a slightly above normal temperature outlook and average precipitation Western Kansas lacks much subsoil moisture. Much of the western half of Kansas is facing a tough summer crop season, a shortage of pasture and forage along with high input prices.

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.