After weather-related stops and starts, the 2013 Kansas wheat harvest is officially in full swing in several south central Kansas locations, with test cutting as far north as McPherson County in central Kansas and as far west as Clark County.
Harvest traditionally begins near Kiowa, where a few isolated fields of wheat were harvested last week. On Tuesday, however, the harvest campaign really got underway, according to Steve Inslee, general manager of the OK Co-op in Kiowa. So far, about 350,000 bushels have been taken in by the elevator. Test weight averages 59 pounds per bushel, and protein ranges from 12 to 15.6. Despite a rain earlier this week, the wheat is dry and Inslee says weather-permitting, the area harvest could be complete in a week.
Cowley County Extension Agent Jill Zimmerman says farmers in Sumner County began harvesting mid-afternoon Tuesday, after fields had dried out from a one-inch shower on Sunday night. Zimmerman’s family started on a field of the variety Everest; test weight was 61 pounds and yield is about 45 bushels per acre.
Wheat began trickling into the Anthony Farmers Co-op over the weekend, but harvest activity geared up on Tuesday. Test weights average 60 pounds per bushel, but no yields have been reported so far. About 305,000 bushels had been taken in the Anthony location as of Wednesday morning. Kari Nusz at the cooperative’s Harper location says the area has taken wheat since Saturday, 57,000 bushels so far. Test weights have ranged from 59 to 62 pounds per bushel. It is too early for yield estimates, but Nusz reports farmers are pleased with field results up to now. Weather permitting, harvest will be in full force by the weekend.
Kansas Wheat Commissioner Scott Van Allen started harvest Tuesday evening on a patch of Everest wheat near Conway Springs. Moisture was 13.4%, and test weight was 61 pounds per bushel. He estimates the crop was yielding about 50 bushels per acre. Van Allen received a quarter-inch of rain Tuesday night, which could pre-empt harvest until Thursday.
The 2013 Harvest Report is brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers and sponsors Kansas City Board of Trade, a part of the CME Group, and the Kansas Grain & Feed Association.