Kansas wheat harvest report

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This is Day 9 of the 2014 Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports, brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers and Kansas Grain and Feed Association.

Harvest is now underway statewide, but that doesn’t mean harvest will be over for some Kansas farmers before the 4th of July celebrations. Low yields, muddy fields and increasing weed pressure are plaguing farmers who are harvesting their wheat.

Darin Boline, a representative of AgChoice Feed and Grain in Emporia said that he has seen anywhere from  20-55 bushels an acre. Rainfall has taken a toll on the test weights in the area. Before the rainfall, Boline recorded 62-63 pounds per bushel for an average test weight. But now, after the showers, he is seeing more like 58-59 pounds per bushel. Boline said, “This harvest is dragging out a lot longer than last harvest. Last year was a good one for us, and the quality had been comparable before the storms. The quantity just isn’t there.”

Bill Spiegel, a farmer from Randall, has been harvesting for the last three days. While he has noticed yields pushing 50 bushels an acre, Spiegel reported that the majority of his wheat fell in the 10-15 bushels an acre range. Due to the late season rains, his fields have had increased weed pressure, and he has actually had to abandon 80 acres due to the influx of weeds. Even with a double threat from the rain and weeds, Spiegel’s wheat is averaging about a 60 pounds per bushel test weight. He also reported a protein content of 14.5-16%. Spiegel said, “Last year was great harvest, so it’s really not a good comparison at all. But this year it’s going to be a harvest where we’ll definitely appreciate those better years.”

Dan Bernard, general manager of Agco Inc. in Russell, reported that his location had taken in their first load on June 14. But even with that early start date, only an estimated 45% of the area’s crop has been harvested, according to Bernard. He also predicts that harvest will go on for another two weeks. Company-wide, less than 500,000 bushels have been brought in across the 3 locations. Bernard said that the average yield is in the mid to upper 20s and the test weights have fallen about two pounds per bushel to its current weight at 58-60 pounds per bushel. Protein content is at about 13% for the area. Bernard said, “There are less bushels this year, but it is taking a lot longer to get it.” Russell has seen around 6-7” of rain in the last month, and Bernard is currently estimating that they will receive 50% of their normal crop.

The 2014 Harvest Report is brought to you by Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers and Kansas Grain and Feed Association.