A new report says the Kansas winter wheat crop continues to develop two to three weeks ahead of normal, with roughly 6% of the crop statewide already headed.

Monday’s Kansas Agricultural Statistics report also says that 79% of the wheat is now jointed. That compares with 30% last year and a 5-year average of 32% at this point in the season.

Recent rain has helped improve the wheat’s condition. The crop is rated 1% very poor, 5% poor, 29% fair, 52% good and 13% excellent.

Kansas farmers have also begun planting this season’s corn crop, with about 6% in the ground statewide.