Wheat harvest in full swing
Reports coming from area elevator managers and farmers indicate an excellent wheat harvest is underway in Marion County. It is a dramatic change from a year ago, when many farmers experienced poor yields.
Harvest has been proceeding in the southern part of the state for about a week and has just gotten into full swing in the north.
Wheat has to test at 13.5 percent moisture to be considered dry. Because of high humidity, the grain has been testing around 14.5 or so until late afternoon.
Elevator managers said since Tuesday afternoon, the wheat has been coming in dry. It also has an excellent test weight, averaging 60-62 pounds per bushel. The standard weight is 60 pounds.
Bryan Harper, manager at the Florence branch of Mid-Kansas Co-op, said his elevator had taken in 150,118 bushels through Monday. Farmers were reporting yields from 55 to 60 bushels per acre, with a top of 71.
Harper estimates the area harvest to be slightly more than half complete. He expects the elevator to take in about 40 percent more wheat than the previous year.
Harper said elevator operators at the Peabody branch of Mid-Kansas Co-op "have got a smile from ear to ear," because of the good crop. After being slowed by heavy rains, harvesting resumed there. The elevator had taken in 230,000 bushels through Monday, and harvest was not yet at the halfway point.
Mike Thomas, manager of the Marion branch of Cooperative Grain and Supply, reported 335,000 bushels of wheat had been received through Monday.
He said yields are "tremendous," with 70 or more bushels per acre commonly being reported. He estimated harvest to be approaching the halfway mark.
The co-op's headquarters is in Hillsboro.
Perry Gutsch, manager of the Lincolnville branch of Agri Producers, Inc., based at Tampa, reported that harvest is in full swing. He said he has heard a few reports of yields in the 70s.
Stan Utting, Agri Producers manager at Tampa, said harvest has just started in that area. He has heard reports of yields ranging from 45-80 bushels per acre.
