632 SW Van Buren, Rm. Pasture conditions across the Flint Hills region, as of mid-April, were rated 90 percent of normal. As of April 20, topsoil moisture conditions were rated mostly adequate to surplus throughout the Flint Hills region. Cool, wet weather has slowed pastures coming back from burning.
Warm weather is needed for the pastures to green up.
The percentage of available pasture already contracted, as of mid-April, stood at 99 percent. The 1992 U.S. Census of Agriculture for Kansas indicates the acreage of pasture lands and rangelands total approximately 3.9 million acres in the Flint Hills region. Table 2 illustrates that the average number of grass acres guaranteed for steers and heifers were lower than 1996 except for the under 700 pound weight group. Table 5 illustrates weight group breakdowns for the three regions. The average reported date for the start of the grazing season under full summer season contracts in the Flint Hills region is April 25, ranging from an early date of April 17 in Chase County to May 5 in Geary County.