The Kansas Association of Wheat Growers says harvest is about 75% complete and reports from across the state indicate a very good quality crop so far.
Farmers in Barber County finished a successful harvest over the weekend. In its seven locations, the OK Coop Grain Company took in 3 million bushels, which is above the company’s five-year average, according to general manager Steve Inslee. Area farmers averaged 45-55 bushels per acre and crop quality was excellent, with 12 protein and 61 pound per bushel test weights on average.
In Wellington, the “Wheat Capital of Kansas,” farmers are pleased with the 2012 wheat crop, says Curt Guinn, general manager of the Farmers Coop Grain Association there. Sumner County farmers averaged 45 to 50 bushels per acre, with 60 pound test weights and a protein average of 11.3. Among the company’s five locations, more than 4 million bushels were received, about 30% more than a typical year.
With 11 locations in western Kansas and eastern Colorado, Skyland Grain is about 50% complete with harvest, according to Matt Overturf at the company’s Johnson location. He says both the Hard Red and Hard White crops average about 61 pounds and 12 protein, with yields ranging from 10 to 50, averaging 30 bushels per acre. Farmers are just beginning to harvest irrigated wheat, with yields expected to average about 65 bushels per acre. Overturf says harvest should be finished in a week.
The early wheat harvest was one of the best ever for Jim Michael, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers Director from McCune. Michael saw above average yields of 70 bushels per acre and test weights above 60 pounds per bushel. Everest was his best variety. Harvest in southeast Kansas has been finished for several days.
- Mike Jordan, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers secretary/treasurer from Beloit, says harvest is virtually complete in southern Mitchell County. His yields vary from 40 to 70 bushels per acre and average about 50. Like many Kansas farmers, Jordan says yields could have been dramatically improved with one more rain after flag leaf emergence.
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.
