Kansas farmers are working through a mixed set of challenges this September as unpredictable weather, uneven rainfall, and slower-than-usual harvest progress set the tone for the state’s agriculture.
The latest U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Crop Progress report, released September 22, provides a detailed snapshot of how the state’s key commodities, corn, soybeans, cotton, sorghum, and winter wheat, are faring midway through the fall growing season.
Weather: A Story of Extremes
Rainfall in Kansas has been anything but uniform this month. According to Kansas State University Extension specialists, parts of Lincoln and Ellsworth counties in central Kansas have recorded more than nine inches of rain so far in September.
This has made central Kansas the wettest region, while sections of the northwest corner of the state have barely received measurable precipitation.
USDA’s report noted that Kansas farmers had just 4.3 suitable days for fieldwork in the week ending September 21, compared with 5.7 days at the same point last year.
Soil conditions reflect the patchy moisture distribution: topsoil is 3% very short, 14% short, 68% adequate, and 15% surplus. Subsoil moisture is rated 6% very short, 19% short, 65% adequate, and 10% surplus.
Looking ahead, statewide precipitation is expected, though western Kansas faces slightly higher odds of staying drier than normal in the closing days of September.
Corn: Behind Schedule on Harvest
Corn remains the most widely planted crop in Kansas, with 6.2 million acres seeded this year, down about 100,000 acres from 2024. Despite the broad planting area, the crop’s progress lags behind recent averages.
Nearly all of the state’s corn, 97%, has reached the dent stage, closely in line with both the five-year average and last year. However, just 70% of the crop has matured, trailing the five-year average of 74% and well below the 83% maturity recorded a year ago.
Harvest activity is also delayed: only 20% of corn has been harvested, compared to 26% for the five-year average and 39% at the same time last year.
Crop health remains mixed. USDA rated the state’s corn as 4% very poor, 8% poor, 27% fair, 45% good, and 16% excellent. Those numbers are slightly weaker than the 18-state average, which shows more corn rated “good” and less in poor condition.
Kansas producers are also contending with disease pressures. Tar spot has been confirmed in eight counties, while corn stunt disease has been reported in 15 counties, according to the Crop Protection Network and Kansas Corn. These issues could further complicate harvest yields.
Soybeans: Leaf Drop Lags, Harvest Yet to Gain Momentum
Kansas planted 4.4 million acres of soybeans this year, a reduction of 130,000 acres from last season. The crop is progressing but slightly behind historical benchmarks.
As of September 21, 41% of soybean fields were dropping leaves, below the five-year average of 50% and last year’s 52%. Harvest has barely begun, with only 1% completed statewide, compared to the five-year average of 4% and last year’s 4% at the same stage.
The good news for soybean growers is crop quality. USDA rated soybeans at 2% very poor, 6% poor, 24% fair, 56% good, and 12% excellent. That’s a stronger rating than the national average across 18 states, which shows fewer soybeans rated “good” and more classified as “poor” or “very poor.”
Cotton: Boll Development Trails Far Behind Normal
Cotton acreage in Kansas rose slightly this year, reaching 140,000 acres, 9,000 more than in 2024. However, progress in boll development has been much slower than normal.
Just 22% of cotton bolls are opening, a figure far behind the five-year average of 60% and last year’s 64% at this time. No harvest has been reported yet. Extension agronomists described the 2025 cotton season as a “rollercoaster,” with weather swings adding unpredictability to yield prospects.
Experts advise producers to be meticulous in estimating potential yields. Accurate counts require surveying several representative field sections and excluding undersized bolls. Harvest outcomes may vary widely, influenced by weather, crop health, and variety choices.
In terms of quality, USDA rated the state’s cotton crop as 11% poor, 31% fair, 42% good, and 16% excellent. Notably, no fields were rated as “very poor,” a brighter spot compared to the 15-state average, where some cotton has fallen into the lowest category.
Sorghum: Stable but Slow Harvest Pace
Kansas planted 2.9 million acres of sorghum this year, down 100,000 acres from 2024. The crop is holding close to its long-term progress averages but still behind last year’s stronger pace.
About 86% of sorghum has reached the coloring stage, nearly matching the five-year average of 87% but slightly less than last year’s 89%. Roughly 38% has reached maturity, equal to the historical average but below the 47% maturity recorded at this time in 2024.
Harvest is off to a slow start, with just 4% of sorghum cut statewide. That trails last year’s 10% but sits somewhat near the five-year benchmark of 6%.
Condition ratings are relatively positive: 4% very poor, 7% poor, 26% fair, 45% good, and 18% excellent. These numbers mirror the six-state average, indicating Kansas sorghum is holding steady compared to other growing regions.
Winter Wheat: Planting Off to a Sluggish Start
Planting season for winter wheat is underway, but progress lags behind historical norms. USDA reported that only 9% of the crop has been planted, compared with the five-year average of 16% and last year’s 15%.
Emergence is also slightly behind schedule. Just 1% of winter wheat has emerged so far, while both last year and the five-year average stood at 2% by this point.
Pasture and Range: Stronger Than National Average
Kansas pasture and range conditions stand out as healthier than much of the country. USDA rated conditions at 4% very poor, 10% poor, 27% fair, 51% good, and 8% excellent. That compares favorably to the national 48-state average, where 36% of pastureland is rated poor or very poor.
Outlook: Farmers’ Eye Moisture and Disease Trends
The September Crop Progress data paints a picture of a Kansas farm economy navigating uneven weather and lagging harvest timelines.
While adequate rainfall has boosted soil moisture in many regions, extreme variability across the state has left some producers in central Kansas with excess water and others in the northwest still short on rain.
Corn and sorghum harvests are slower than normal, soybeans are dropping leaves later than expected, and cotton development is significantly delayed.
On the positive side, crop condition ratings remain relatively strong across soybeans, sorghum, and pastureland, suggesting resilience despite seasonal setbacks.
For now, the outlook hinges on late-season precipitation patterns and the ability of farmers to manage pests and disease pressures. As Kansas producers push through the final stretch of the growing season, the balance between weather, crop health, and timely fieldwork will determine how much ground can be made up before winter sets in.