The drought monitor report as of Tuesday, June 10th shows continued improvement for the state with an increase from 42 to almost 60% of the state totally out of dry conditions. East central, Southeast, Southwest and most of South central Kansas are totally out of dry conditions along with a portion of Northeast and West central parts of the state. Our area is unchanged with the northeastern/north central part of Barton County still listed in moderate drought. However, Stafford County is now out of dry conditions. The six-to ten-day outlook (June 17 to 21) indicates a 50 to 60% chance of likely above normal temperatures and a 33 to 40% chance of leaning above normal for precipitation. The eight to 14-day outlook (June 19 to 25) indicates a 40 to 50% chance of leaning above normal for temperatures and near normal for precipitation. Overall, not bad for summer crops and the heat will speed up wheat harvest.
Weather permitting, wheat harvest will be here soon. As this is written, a little wheat in Kansas has been cut. Many producers will likely plant a summer crop in the spring of 2026. With a gap of nine months or so, many are considering double-cropping, planting a crop immediately after wheat to harvest this fall. The idea is to produce more income and to not leave the ground devoid of vegetation. Briefly today, what to consider when double-cropping.
• When is harvest done? What does weed pressure look like; does it need control? Were any residual herbicides used that might prevent certain crops? What is the moisture status of the soil profile? What is the summer outlook for precipitation and temperatures? When is the first frost typically? What crop is under consideration? Dryland, irrigated, or both?
• As you can see, there are a great many considerations for a producer. Some questions will determine what crop you can plant, some the maturity rating of the crop.
• Ideally, a crop, unless it’s a feed crop, should be in by July first most years. Options for a seed crop include grain sorghum and soybeans in our area. For soybeans, even in late June, a Group III soybean, especially under irrigation, will work since soybeans flower based on increasing nigh length. For grain sorghum, a late early or early medium maturity is best and will take less water than soybeans, although soybeans will mature earlier. A few producers under irrigation after wheat will grow corn for silage. A good option for cattle producers.
• If there is a concern over adequate soil moisture and precipitation, especially combined with later planting, a feed crop for hay or silage may be the best option. Provided of course there is either an off-farm market readily available or on farm usage. This requires less water than seed production and is especially useful for cow-calf and stocker operations. For hay, sudan grass, crabgrass if it’s present, and if planted in narrow rows and a fairly high population, sorghum X sudan grass are good options. For silage, a forage sorghum or grain sorghum work best and the sorghum sudan grass hybrids. And it’s always a good idea to have the hay evaluated for nitrates and feed value.
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.
