The drought monitor report as of 8 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 22, shows much of Western Kansas still markedly improved. Our area is now primarily in severe drought; however, the extreme drought is starting to re-expand northwest of Barton County. Much of South Central Kansas has deteriorated to extreme drought. The six to ten-day outlook (Aug. 29 to Sept. 2) indicates a 40 to 60% chance of leaning above normal for temperatures and a 40 to 0% chance of leaning to below normal precipitation. The eight to 14-day outlook (Aug. 31 to Sept. 6) indicates a continued to a 60 to 70% chance of leaning to above normal temperatures and normal to a 33 to 40% chance of below normal for precipitation. Good weather for maturing corn and milo. Bad for soybeans and really not what we need as wheat planting approaches. As of September, our average monthly rainfall decreases to under three inches and with this heat, top soil moisture is rapidly disappearing.

Last week, we discussed wheat seed considerations and availability. This week, what should a producer be considering now with planting less than six weeks away.

• Naturally, starting with a weed-free seedbed is a key and to keep it as free of weeds as possible from now until planting. With the long-term outlook, conditions are looking dry and producers must keep what soil moisture they have. Even with the rain we have received the recent heat can rapidly deplete soil moisture, especially on bare soils. Having residue cover decreases evaporation by serving as a vapor barrier and by keeping soil cooler. Minimal tillage, preferably no tillage, is best but with large weeds, aggressive tillage should have been done last week. For smaller weeds, something like an undercutter or any tillage that maintains surface residue is best. The best option is chemical weed control.

• If we receive rains and have volunteer wheat, make sure to control eliminate volunteer wheat for at least two weeks prior to planting and with a mile or so of the field. A challenge if the volunteer is in your neighbor’s field.

• If you don’t have a recent soil test, soil test for at least phosphorus. If you are farming sandy soils, sulfur may also be deficient and a chloride test is recommended. If going back to a wheat field, much of the fertility applied for last year’s crop, except for nitrogen, is likely still present. And a profile N test may be of value depending on how much rainfall the field received the last two or so months. 

• Since much of the corn is rapidly maturing, the best chance of planting wheat after a summer crop, and on time, is after corn followed by milo, and then soybeans. However, milo can keep using water after the grain is ripe and set tillers.

• Finally, while the fly-free planting date is a good idea, it may be better to plant early if we receive substantial rain in early September and the outlook is for hotter and drier than normal conditions. This gives wheat the best chance to establish itself. 

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