The Ag-Climate Update is a joint effort between our climate and extension specialists. Every month the update includes a brief summary of that month, agronomic impacts, relevant maps and graphs, 1-month temperature and precipitation outlooks, monthly extremes, and notable highlights.
June 2019 – Wet areas get wetter but closer to the normal
At the state level, June was just slightly wetter than normal. State-wide average precipitation for June was 4.8 inches, 104% of normal. The western and northern divisions were drier than normal, but the driest (West Central) averaged 2.3 inches, 83% of normal. State-wide average temperature for June was roughly 73 degress F, 1 degree cooler than normal. This ranks as the 45th coolest on record. Temperature swings were substantial, ranging from 36 degrees F at Syracuse 1NE on the 10th to 105 degrees F at Oakley 4W on the 28th.
Saturated fields continue to cause problems. The cooler and wetter conditions have left wheat about 1 to 3 weeks behind normal depending on sowing date. Many wheat fields in the central and south-central regions have drowned out due to excessive moisture causing extremely variable yields and test weight. Corn, soybeans, and sorghum continue to lag behind normal progress.
Fewer growing degree days (GDD) accumulation across the state is delaying crop development. Wheat harvested was at 61%, well behind 89% last year and the 5-year average of 84%.
View the entire June 2019 Ag-Climate Summary at http://climate.k-state.edu/ag/updates/