The Kansas Association of Wheat Growers says 53% of the state’s wheat crop had been harvested as of Sunday, according to the weekly Crop Progress report from Kansas Ag Statistics. In an average year, just 2% of the crop would be harvested by June 10.
- Jason Ochs, Kansas Wheat Commissioner from Syracuse, began cutting wheat Sunday. Despite continued dry weather, Ochs is pleased that his field of Danby white wheat is yielding about 30 bushels per acre. Test weight is excellent, at 62 pounds per bushel. He says harvest in Hamilton County will be in full swing by Wednesday.
- Farmers in the Wakeeney area are about 75% finished with what will be an above average harvest, according to Lynette King at the Frontier Ag location there. King says crop quality is very good, with test weight averaging 62.4 pounds per bushel and protein averaging 11.5. Yields range from 18 to 58 bushels per acre, with a 49 bushel average.
- Farmers in Phillips County are just getting started, according to Renee Miles at Rangleand Coop in Phillipsburg. Among the company’s six locations, test weight averages 61.98 pounds per bushel and protein about 11. Early on, yields average about 50 bushels per acre.
- Harvest is winding down in Washington County, according to Shelley Peters at the United Farmers Coop in Washington. She says area farmers have been pleasantly surprised with yields, averaging about 40 bushels per acre. Test weights range from 59 to 63 pounds per bushel, averaging 60. It will be three to four days before farmers are pretty well finished with the 2012 harvest.
- Kansas Wheat Commissioner Jay Armstrong, Muscotah, finished harvest Saturday. His 2012 crop averaged 42 bushels per acre, with 63 pound test weights and 11.2 protein. Armstrong says the variety Everest was his best performer. The market for wheat straw has been very good; Armstrong says farmers have had the opportunity to sell straw right out of the field.
The 2012 Harvest Salute to Producers is sponsored by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers and sponsors Kansas City Board of Trade, and the Kansas Grain & Feed Association.
