Day 13, Kansas Wheat Harvest Report

That is day 13 of the Kansas Wheat Harvest Stories, dropped at you by the Kansas Wheat Fee, Kansas Affiliation of Wheat Growers and the Kansas Grain and Feed Affiliation.

Combines at the moment are on the roll in northwest and north central Kansas with the return of scorching, windy climate. Mid-harvest rains have lowered check weights, however selection choice and farming practices are making an enormous distinction in how the crop is ending out.

Tanner Durham was reducing south of Randall in Jewell County on Wednesday. The household additionally farms in neighboring Mitchell County. Harvest right here in north central Kansas is on time, having began on Monday and hoping to complete up by Friday with out rain delays.

Yields are coming in from the higher 30 bushels per acre as much as the 60s bushels per acre vary. Proteins are averaging round 12 p.c. Take a look at weights began at 62 kilos per bushel, however after some mid-harvest rains at the moment are at 57 kilos per bushel.

General, Durham reported it’s been a great harvest with clear wheat and first rate seed dimension. The wheat is brief in comparison with a standard yr, however nowhere close to as brief as in different elements of the state. With spring planting additionally full, farm life in north central Kansas is correct on monitor.

Nearer to the Colorado border, the Schemm household — son Clay and oldsters Lisa and David — began harvest in Logan County on June 21 and now have moved west to Wallace County. The household operation has extra wheat acres this yr, so they’re harvesting a couple of third of their acres and hiring customized cutters to chop the opposite two-thirds. Altogether, they hope to be accomplished reducing by the upcoming vacation.

Clay Schemm famous there was not a lot fall development, however a hefty early spring snow of 24 inches introduced much-needed moisture throughout an in any other case dry yr. The snow and Might rains helped the wheat considerably.

Because of this, their farm yields — whereas nonetheless beneath regular — are averaging round 50 bushels per acre. Take a look at weights are heavy at 61 to 63 kilos per bushel. Proteins are averaging 12.5 p.c and above. Clay Schemm famous two varieties — KS Dallas from the Kansas Wheat Alliance and AgriPro/Syngenta’s SY Wolverine — are performing significantly properly.

Fields have somewhat weed stress the place stands are skinny however no illness stress. The operation just lately switched again to minimal tillage, the place the household tills the bottom earlier than planting wheat to regulate perennial grasses which are immune to chemical functions. Clay Schemm mentioned they might ideally use an economical herbicide to regulate the weeds, however with out that choice, tilling the soil is crucial to maintaining weeds right down to protect soil moisture.

Tillage is a device additionally utilized by Mosbarger Household Farms, which grows wheat in three northwest Kansas counties. Wheat is a crucial a part of their crop rotation, constructing residue for subsequent yr’s crop.

“That’s the best way we make two years of dryland corn work,” mentioned John Mosbarger, who is predicated in Goodland. They plan to proceed their regular crop rotation no matter worth modifications for the totally different crops.

Mosbarger defined their operation was fully no-till till three years in the past after they determined to begin making two to a few passes with the sweep earlier than drilling wheat. Working the bottom is giving them bigger soil particle dimension, much less wind erosion and higher wheat emergence.

“We like to tug from a variety of totally different practices in order that we’ve got probably the most instruments in our toolbox,” he mentioned.

As well as, they’ve been combating palmer amaranth and kochia, two weeds which are immune to herbicides.

“They aren’t immune to metal but,” he joked.

This yr’s wheat harvest simply began for Mosbarger Household Farms on June 27 and is predicted to final about two weeks.

Whereas harvesting a subject of KS Hamilton in Cheyenne County, Mosbarger mentioned, “Wheat is fairly superb,” noting that they didn’t get the stand they needed within the fall and there was restricted moisture all through the rising season. Variability from subject to subject is predicated on emergence final fall. Regardless, he expects their farm to common 45 bushels per acre this yr. Take a look at weights are averaging 60 kilos per bushel and protein is correct round 12 p.c.

Mosbarger famous their expectations of yield have modified through the years, usually hoping to develop at the very least 60-bushel wheat. Despite the fact that this yr’s crop isn’t assembly these expectations, it’s a lot better than they anticipated in March.

The 2022 Harvest Report is dropped at you by the Kansas Wheat Fee, Kansas Affiliation of Wheat Growers and the Kansas Grain and Feed Affiliation. To observe together with harvest updates on Twitter, use #wheatharvest22. Tag us at @kansaswheat on Fb, Instagram and Twitter to share your harvest story and photographs.

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Written by Julia Debes for Kansas Wheat