Kansas Wheat

Nearly a week into the 2012 wheat harvest, Kansas farmers are finding a mixed bag of quality and yield.

 

>Harvest is about 30% complete in Pratt County, where farmers are seeing good yields overall, according to grain merchandiser Jim Bob Lewton, with the Kanza Coop Assn. in Iuka. Lewton says test weights are above 60 pounds per bushel and protein is above 12. Farmers report yields ranging from 25 to 50 bushels per acre, with most fields averaging between 40 and 45 bushels per acre.

 

 About 1.2 million bushels have been taken in at the Farmers Coop Company locations in Kiowa and Comanche counties, according to grain merchandiser John Francis. Crop quality is excellent, with test weights averaging 60-plus pounds per bushel and protein a touch above 13 at the Haviland location. However, farmers report 25-35 bushel yields; better than last year, but disappointing given how good the crop looked a month ago. 

 Farmers in the Hoisington area of Barton County are four days into the 2012 wheat harvest and so far the crop is not doing as well as expected. United Ag Service, Inc. has taken in 28,000 bushels of wheat with average test weights ranging from 54 to 62 pounds per bushel and moisture levels anywhere from 9.7 to 14 percent.

 Harvest is just getting started for Kansas Wheat Commissioner Doug Keesling. The Rice County farmer says this year's crop will be average as his wheat is running eight percent moisture with test weights averaging 58 pounds per bushel. Although today is his first day of cutting, Keesling says harvest is in full swing in the area.

 About 75,000 bushels have been taken in at the ADM Grain facility in Kinsley, according to bookkeeper Linda Gumpenberger. Wheat quality has been very good, with test weight averaging 61.5 pounds and protein ranging from 10-14.9 and averaging 11.5. Farmers in Edwards County anticipate a good harvest, especially compared to last year's dismal yields.

 Farmers are about 25% complete with wheat harvest in the Marion area, where yields range from 50-65 bushels per acre, says Mike Thomas, manager at the Co-op Grain and Supply there. Crop quality is very good, with test weight averaging about 62 pounds per bushel and protein at 11. Thomas says this is shaping up to be a very good harvest for area farmers.

 The 2012 Harvest Report is brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers and sponsors Kansas City Board of Trade, and the Kansas Grain & Feed Association.

This is Day 5 of the 2012 Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports, brought to you by the Kansas City Board of Trade, the Kansas Grain & Feed Association, the Kansas Wheat Commission and Kansas Association of Wheat Growers.

 

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