Kansas wheat harvest report

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This is Day 6 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.

Jeanne Falk-Jones, Multi-County Agronomy Specialist for K-State in Sherman, Wallace and Cheyenne counties, reports that they are at a standstill at the moment. She says a few farmers started cutting in Wallace County on Sunday, but since then it has rained every day. The area has seen a fair amount of hail, ranging from light hail events to more major damage. At this point, they are waiting, but not getting too antsy.There are some fields that are ready once it dries out.

Falk-Jones says, “It has been an interesting year in that wheat just keeps hanging on.” Even in tough conditions, there’s something to learn, which was evidenced by good attendance at plot tours this year. “Our wheat crop isn’t going to have fantastic yields out here, but the trade off is the moisture for other crops,” she said.

Ken Wood, a farmer from Dickinson County, reports that his yields have been better than he had anticipated, with yields of 40 to 60 bushels per acre. He has cut about half of his wheat, but says, “It has been really frustrating. We haven’t been able to get momentum going.” Every time he’s able to get started, a small shower comes through and keeps him out of the field. He says it hasn’t been enough rain to do any good, but just enough to make the fields wet. They haven’t had much sunshine or wind to dry things out. He cut a little wheat Wednesday afternoon and is hoping to get going again Thursday afternoon.

Randy Mettling, a farmer from Ford County, wrapped up harvest on Sunday before the rains. He has had 2.75 inches of rain since Sunday. Mettling reports his average yield is 47. His test weight range is 60.5-62.5 and moisture is 10.5-12. Mettling says it’s the “most consistent crop I’ve ever cut.” Last year he had an average yield in the low 20s. Snow cover over winter helped it out a lot, but he essentially had no rain before June.

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