Kansas State University Extension has released a newly updated version of the Kansas Crop Planting Guide (L818), providing producers with comprehensive, research-based recommendations for planting dates, seeding rates, and plant populations for major crops across Kansas. The January 2026 revision reflects updated climate trends, expanded crop tables, and refined management guidance that supports informed decision-making for both dryland and irrigated systems.
Why This Update Matters
Kansas producers operate across one of the most climatically diverse agricultural regions in the U.S. Climatic gradients directly influence optimal planting windows, crop maturity selection, and seeding rate decisions. The updated guide incorporates the latest 1991–2020 climate normals and revises planting zones to more accurately reflect these shifts.
Key Sections in the Updated Publication
- Planting Dates: Updated planting windows for major crops across four statewide zones (Figure 1), reflecting 1991–2020 climate patterns and soil temperature-based decision guidance.
Figure 1. Kansas planting date zones updated with the most recent climate normals (1991-2020). Map from K-State Extension.
- Planting Populations: Recommended target populations for low‑, medium‑, high‑yield, and irrigated environments, including adjustments for late-planted wheat and sorghum and considerations for pure live seed (PLS).
- Plant & Seed Spacing: Tables and formulas for calculating seeds per foot of row, in‑row spacing, and 1/1,000‑acre row lengths to support accurate planter calibration and stand assessments.
- Seeded Population Conversions: Pounds‑to‑seeds‑per‑acre conversion charts based on seed size to improve drill calibration and seeding accuracy across small‑ and large‑seeded species.
- Seeds‑Per‑Pound & Bushel Standards: Reference table listing seeds per pound, standard bushel weights, and standard moisture for more than 20 common crops and forage species.
- Forages & Cover Crops: Recommended planting windows and seeding rates for alfalfa, grasses, millets, small grains, and other forage species, plus links to cover‑crop planning tools.
The full Kansas Crop Planting Guide (L818) is available for free download at https://bookstore.ksre.ksu.edu/item/kansas-crop-planting-guide_L818
Rachel Cott, Assistant Professor - Crop Science
rveenstra@ksu.edu
Logan Simon, Southwest Area Agronomist
lsimon@ksu.edu
Romulo Lollato, Wheat and Forages Extension Specialist
lollato@ksu.edu
Mike Stamm, Agronomist
mjstamm@ksu.edu
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