This is the final day of the 2010 Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports. We thank you for following progress of the 2010 wheat harvest. For more wheat news, check out http://www.kansaswheat.org/.

Click here for an audio version.

This is Day 20 of the 2010 Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports, brought to you by the Kansas City Board of Trade, DeBruce Grain, the Kansas Grain & Feed Association, the Kansas Wheat Commission and Kansas Association of Wheat Growers.

On this last Harvest Report of 2010, we find there are still several acres of wheat to be harvested in areas of northwest Kansas.

Roger May, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers director from Oberlin, says harvest time precipitation has hampered progress in Decatur County. There is still quite a bit of wheat to cut east of Oberlin and May himself has about three days of cutting left. Afternoon rain showers the last several days, including a hailstorm Monday, have forced May out of the wheat fields by early evening. Yields range from 40 to 70 bushels per acre and test weights remain above 60 pounds per bushel. May’s best yields have come from the Tam 111variety.

Kansas Wheat Commissioner Brian Linin says the wheat being harvested in Sherman County is the best he’s ever seen. Summer-fallowed fields are yielding from 70- to 80-bushels per acre, with 62.5-pound test weights and protein in the high 11s. A hailstorm a week ago severely damaged isolated fields in Sherman and surrounding counties. Most wheat varieties look very good this year, but Tam 111 is leading the pack, Linin says.

A few days of brisk harvest activity remain in the Bird City area, according to Sean Cravens, manager of the Frontier Ag location there. Farmers are satisfied with the harvest, with yields ranging from 40 to 60 bushels per acre. Test weights range from 60-63 pounds per bushel and protein is about 11.7.

Karol Lohman, manager of the St. Francis Mercantile Equity Exchange in St. Francis, says the harvest has been excellent, with good yields and high-quality wheat. Test weights have ranged from 60 to 65 pounds per bushel, and protein from 12 to 13%. Farmers report yields from 40 to 80 bushels per acre. The elevator has taken in some 700,000 bushels and as of Tuesday evening, is full, with about 75% of the area harvest complete.

The International Grains Program at Kansas State University has in-depth quality information from the 2010 harvest online at https://mail.kswheat.com/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.feedtechnology.org/p.aspx?tabid=27.

The 2010 Harvest Salute to Producers is brought to you by Kansas Wheat in conjunction with sponsors Kansas City Board of Trade, DeBruce Grain and the Kansas Grain & Feed Association.

Click here for an audio version.

This is Day 19 of the 2010 Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports, brought to you by the Kansas City Board of Trade, DeBruce Grain, the Kansas Grain & Feed Association, the Kansas Wheat Commission and Kansas Association of Wheat Growers.

On Friday, the Kansas Agriculture Statistics estimated the 2010 Kansas wheat crop would total some 369 million bushels, from 8.2 million acres, an average of 43 bushels per acre. If realized, that would be the fifth highest yield on record. As of Sunday, harvest was 92% complete in Kansas, with most of the remaining acreage in Sherman, Cheyenne and Thomas counties.

It just so happens that this region is producing some of the highest yields of the 2010 crop. Brad Cowan, president and chief executive officer of Frontier Ag, Inc., says that three days into harvest, farmers are reporting dryland yields ranging from 65-80 bushels per acre and irrigated yields in the 80 bushel per acre range. Test weights average 61.5 pounds per bushel and protein is 11.4-11.8. In its 29 locations throughout western Kansas, Frontier Ag has taken in 14 million bushels of wheat and expects the 2010 harvest to total 19 million bushels.

Meanwhile, Jeff Bhend, manager of Scoular Corporation’s Goodland location, says farmers are reporting yields from 45- to 70-bushels per acre, with an average of about 55 bushels per acre. Despite frequent rain showers, test weight has stayed at 62 pounds per bushel and protein is 11.5 and up. Bhend says this wheat crop is one of the most productive in the last 10 years.

On the Colorado border, Tamara Nagel at the Kanorado Coop Association says harvest in that area has been going on for about three days, with an above average crop expected. Test weights average about 61.5 pounds per bushel and early yields are in the 50 to 60-bushel per acre range. The cooperative has received about 400,000 bushels of wheat so far.

Doug Ross, manager of Barlett Grain’s St. Francis location, says that with about 30% of the harvest complete, farmers aren’t saying much about the wheat except the yields are very good. Test weights average about 62 pounds per bushel and protein values have not been tested yet.

The International Grains Program at Kansas State University has in-depth quality information from the 2010 harvest online at https://mail.kswheat.com/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.feedtechnology.org/p.aspx?tabid=27.

The 2010 Harvest Salute to Producers is brought to you by Kansas Wheat in conjunction with sponsors Kansas City Board of Trade, DeBruce Grain and the Kansas Grain & Feed Association.

Click here for an audio version.

This is Day 18 of the 2010 Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports, brought to you by the Kansas City Board of Trade, DeBruce Grain, the Kansas Grain & Feed Association, the Kansas Wheat Commission and Kansas Association of Wheat Growers.

Cooler than normal temperatures coupled with high humidity have made harvest progress difficult in northwest Kansas. However, some farmers in isolated areas of the region are able to squeeze a few hours of harvest activity in the last few afternoons.

Kansas Association of Wheat Growers director Herb Mattson says harvest has been difficult due to the moisture, but the effort is worth it. Farmers in the Colby area report yields from 50 to 85 bushels per acre, with 62 to 65 pound test weights and protein as high as 13.5%. Mattson says Tam 111 has been the best variety on his own farm, with PostRock and Smoky Hill varieties also doing well.

Dale Weeks, manager of the Wheeler Coop Mercantile Equity Union in Wheeler, says about 10% of the wheat has been harvested in Cheyenne County and farmers are reporting average yields ranging from 45 to 81 bushels per acre. Protein range is 10.3 to 14.1 with a 11.5% average and test weights vary from 60-64 pounds per bushel, although when harvest resumes the test weight may decrease a pound or two. Weeks anticipates the best wheat is yet to be harvested.

Pat Peterson, manager of the United Plains Ag elevator in Sharon Springs, says harvest is about 65% complete in his region. Average test weight is 62.5 pounds per bushel, and protein average is about 11.5%, although the range varies from 7 to 16. Yields range from 50 to 60 bushels per acre.

At Frontier Ag’s Breton location, Matt Vogler says harvest is about 25% complete, with 40,000 bushels taken in so far. Test weighs range from 61 to 66 pounds per bushel, and protein averages about 11.7%. Yields range from 60 to 80 bushels per acre. Vogler expects that the damp weather will take about two pounds off the average test weight, and that harvest will resume Friday, provided no rain falls on the area Thursday night.

The International Grains Program at Kansas State University has in-depth quality information from the 2010 harvest online at https://mail.kswheat.com/exchweb/bin/redir.asp?URL=http://www.feedtechnology.org/p.aspx?tabid=27.

The 2010 Harvest Salute to Producers is brought to you by Kansas Wheat in conjunction with sponsors Kansas City Board of Trade, DeBruce Grain and the Kansas Grain & Feed Association.

Click here for an audio version.

This is Day 17 of the 2010 Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports, brought to you by the Kansas City Board of Trade, DeBruce Grain, the Kansas Grain & Feed Association, the Kansas Wheat Commission and Kansas Association of Wheat Growers.

With widespread showers across northern Kansas the last several days, harvest has been slow to get rolling since the Independence Day Weekend. According to Kansas Agricultural Statistics, 69% of the wheat in northwest Kansas remains to be cut. But so far, that crop appears to be excellent.

Karol Lohman, general manager of the St. Francis Mercantile Equity Exchange, says harvest had just started when rain began to fall. With about five days of harvest complete, the crop appears to be phenomenal, with test weights ranging from 60 to nearly 66 pounds per bushel and protein values average 13-14%. Farmers are not disclosing yields so far, but Lohman says the yields appear to be outstanding.

Kurt Anderson, general manager of the Decatur Coop Association in Oberlin, says harvest is about half complete in the cooperative’s nine locations. Rain showers Tuesday stopped recent harvest progress and Anderson expects farmers will stay out of the field until Friday. Test weights on wheat cut so far range from 58 to 63 pounds per bushel and protein values range from 11 to 12.5%. Yields vary from 40 to 55 bushels per acre. All in all, it’s an above-average harvest, Anderson says.

Roger May, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers director from the Oberlin area, says his harvest is about half done. Area farmers report yields ranging from 30 to 70 bushels per acre, and test weights from 51 to 64 pounds per bushel, depending on whether they treated for stripe rust, May says. Of the wheat he has cut so far, Tam 111 seems to be the best, he adds.

Richard Kvasnicka, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers director from Winona, finished an above average harvest on July 4. Test weights on Kvasnicka’s crop averaged about 63 pounds per bushel and protein, 12.5%. Yields ranged from 40 to 50 bushels per acre. In his area of Logan County, harvest is about 65% complete.

Harvest is all but over in the Hoxie area, according to Nick Otter, manager of the Hi-Plains Coop location in Hoxie. Yields average between 50 and 60 bushels per acre, although some farmers report 80-plus bushels per acre. Test weights are just above 60 pounds per bushel. The Hoxie location has taken in about 570,000 bushels.

The 2010 Harvest Salute to Producers is brought to you by Kansas Wheat in conjunction with sponsors Kansas City Board of Trade, DeBruce Grain and the Kansas Grain & Feed Association.

Click here for an audio version.

This is Day 16 of the 2010 Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports, brought to you by the Kansas City Board of Trade, DeBruce Grain, the Kansas Grain & Feed Association, the Kansas Wheat Commission and Kansas Association of Wheat Growers.

Kansas Wheat Commissioner Dean Stoskopf wrapped up his harvest June 30. It was a good harvest overall, with a 50-bushel per acre average throughout Barton County, although the range was from 15 to 90 bushels per acre. Test weights ranged from 59- to 64-pounds per bushel and proteins varied from 10.5-12%. Stoskopf says the standout varieties Art, PostRock and Santa Fe.

Paul Penner, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers president from Hillsboro, says area farmers had a subpar wheat harvest, with most yields in the 30-40 bushel per acre range. At 60-61 pounds per bushel, test weights were good and protein was 12%. On a positive note, Penner says this is the first year in many years that there were no weather-related harvest delays.

Bruce Otte, KAWG Director from Moundridge, experienced an above-harvest, with a 50 bushel per acre average overall. Test weight on his farm was 61 pounds per bushel, and protein averages in the area was 12.5. Otte harvested a test plot in which Santa Fe, Art and Armour were the top-performing varieties.

It was an average harvest overall for Stafford County farmers, says Randy Fritzemeier, KAWG Director from Stafford, who finished June 25. Yields averaged 40 bushels per acre and test weights, 61-63 pounds per bushel. The variety Santa Fe was the best variety on the Fritzemeier farm.

Leon Sowers, KAWG Director from Murdock, finished June 24. Sowers had a 25 bushel per acre average. Grain quality was excellent, with 61 pounds per bushel average and average protein. Sowers says the Trio 158 variety was his best, averaging about 41 bushels per acre.

For in-depth quality and yield information, including maps and video clips, log onto the K-State Grain Science and Industry Web site at www.feedtechnology.org

The 2010 Harvest Salute to Producers is brought to you by Kansas Wheat in conjunction with sponsors Kansas City Board of Trade, DeBruce Grain and the Kansas Grain & Feed Association.

Click here for an audio version.

This is Day 14 of the 2010 Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports, brought to you by the Kansas City Board of Trade, DeBruce Grain, the Kansas Grain & Feed Association, the Kansas Wheat Commission and Kansas Association of Wheat Growers.

In Kearny County, harvest is about 70% complete, according to Ed Bemis, manager of United Prairie Ag’s Lakin and Lydia locations. It’s been an excellent harvest for area farmers, who report yields ranging from 45-80 bushels per acre and test weights of 63 pounds per bushel. Bemis has not yet seen protein test results. Lakin farmer Gary Millershaski, who is secretary/treasurer of the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, says the variety Jagger has been a consistent top-yielding and top-quality variety on his farm.

Ron Suppes, Kansas Wheat Commissioner from Lane County, is about half done with this year’s harvest. Summer fallow wheat has been excellent, with the variety Fuller yielding in the low 60s with 63-pound test weight. Suppes has fields of Danby and RonL Hard White wheat grown in continuous crop wheat fields; these have yielded 45 bushels per acre on average with 65-pound test weights. Protein values for the Hard White wheat average about 11%.

At Frontier Ag’s Hill City location, Linda Billits says harvest began June 25 and farmers are recording an above average harvest. Test weight averages 62 pounds per bushel and proteins are in the low 11s. At the company’s Ransom location, Jeanette Flax says harvest is wrapping up and more than 540,000 bushels have been taken in. Test weights range between 61 to 65 pounds per bushel and yields range from 40 to 90 bushels per acre. Across Frontier Ag’s 30 locations in western Kansas, about 4.7 million bushels have been taken in as of Wednesday.

Harvest is wrapping up in the Offerle area, according to Sonia Offerle at the Offerle Coop. It’s been an excellent harvest, with farmers reporting yields ranging from 50 to 60 bushels per acre, 62-pound per bushel test weights and protein averaging 13%. The cooperative’s three locations have taken in 3.2 million bushels this year.

Jerry McReynolds, Woodston, has been harvesting since June 21. A widespread hail storm wiped out many fields in northern Rooks County, but McReynolds missed most of the damage. He reports yields averaging above 50 bushels per acre, with 63 pound test weights. The varieties Art and Fuller have performed particularly well this year, says McReynolds, who is president of the National Association of Wheat Growers.

The 2010 Harvest Salute to Producers is brought to you by Kansas Wheat in conjunction with sponsors Kansas City Board of Trade, DeBruce Grain and the Kansas Grain & Feed Association.

Click here for an audio version.

This is Day 13 of the 2010 Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports, brought to you by the Kansas City Board of Trade, DeBruce Grain, the Kansas Grain & Feed Association, the Kansas Wheat Commission and Kansas Association of Wheat Growers.

About 60% of the harvest in Kansas is complete, according to the weekly Crop Report from Kansas Ag Statistics. Most of the remaining wheat acres are in northern Kansas, although Dave Erwin, branch manager of Skyland Grain’s Syracuse location says the 2010 harvest has been huge, with 30% more bushels taken in than in previous years. Test weights are all above 60 pounds per bushel, and farmers are reporting above average yields. The Hamilton County harvest is about 75% complete.

Harvest began about 10 days ago in Greeley County and is about 40% complete thus far, according to Dirk Schneider, location manager of United Plains Ag in Tribune. It’s been a very good harvest overall, with farmers reporting yields from 30 to 60 bushels per acre and a 60-pound test weight average. Protein levels have been highly variable, ranging from 7 to 15 and averaging about 11.5%.

In the Hoxie area, wheat is still a little green and therefore, the Hi Plains Coop has taken in just 90,000 bushels so far, according to branch manager Nick Otter. Test weights average about 60 pounds per bushel, and protein values are averaging 12%. Farmers are reporting early yield averages of 55-65 bushels per acre.

Bruce Williams, manager of Rangeland Cooperative, says harvest began last Friday, but many farmers are still planting and putting up hay. Test weights exceed 61 pounds per bushel on average; protein values are highly variable, with samples ranging from 9 to 12.9%, averaging about 11. Area yields are average; harvest is about 15% done overall.

Randy Hiltgen, location manager of United Farmers Coop location in Washington, says harvest is about 60% complete and after getting through poor wheat fields, farmers are harvesting good wheat now. Test weights average 60 pounds per bushel; protein values are 11.5 and yields range from 20 to 60 bushels per acre.

The 2010 Harvest Salute to Producers is brought to you by Kansas Wheat in conjunction with sponsors Kansas City Board of Trade, DeBruce Grain and the Kansas Grain & Feed Association.

Click here for an audio version.

This is Day 12 of the 2010 Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports, brought to you by the Kansas City Board of Trade, DeBruce Grain, the Kansas Grain & Feed Association, the Kansas Wheat Commission and Kansas Association of Wheat Growers.

Kansas Association of Wheat Growers vice president David Schemm began harvest over the weekend and early yield results are 39 bushels per acre. Schemm expects yields will improve as harvest continues, particularly if his wheat keeps the 63.5-pounds per bushel test weight he has seen thus far. Protein values are unknown yet. Schemm expects this 2010 harvest to be excellent, with lots of very good wheat being harvested in Wichita and Wallace counties.

Rich Randall, Kansas Wheat Commission vice chairman from Scott City, says harvest is 50% complete in Scott County. Farmers are reporting dryland wheat yields of 50-70 bushels per acre; test weights ranging from 60-64 pounds per bushel and protein values from 11.5 to 12.5. Randall says Jagalene has been a consistently good variety of wheat; T136 also has had good performance so far.

Derek Sandmann, manager of the AgMark train unloading facility in Concordia, says harvest is winding down in the Concordia area. The facility has taken in about 1.8 million bushels of wheat so far, well below last year’s pace. Yields have ranged between 50 to 60 bushels per acre and test weight average is 60 pounds per bushel; protein values have been highly variable with an average of 11.8, Sandmann says.

Deb Miller, manager of the Farmers Coop in Stockton, says the 2010 wheat harvest looked promising until a hailstorm 10 days ago wiped out about 40% of the crop in her trade area. Harvest has been slow to get rolling as a result and protein values have been poor, averaging about 11%. Test weights range from 59-64 pounds per bushel and farmers report yields of 15 to 60 bushels per acre, depending on whether the fields were stricken by hail.

Robby McGowan, manager at the Farmers Coop Assn. in Onaga, says this year’s harvest is one of the smallest he has seen. He expects farmers to bring in only 15,000 bushels of wheat to the Onaga location. With harvest about half done, yields range from 26-45 bushels per acre, with test weights averaging 54 pounds per bushel and protein, 11%.

The 2010 Harvest Salute to Producers is brought to you by Kansas Wheat in conjunction with sponsors Kansas City Board of Trade, DeBruce Grain and the Kansas Grain & Feed Association.

Harvest is winding down in the Beloit area. Teri Bell at the Farmway Coop Beloit location says more than 1 million bushels have been taken in at the Beloit location. It’s been a good harvest, with farmers reporting yields from 40 to 60 bushels per acre. Test weights are right at the 60 pounds per bushel benchmark and protein values average 12%.

At Frontier Ag’s Wakeeney location, Lynette Anderson says harvest is 35% complete and farmers are extremely pleased with this year’s crop. Where fields were not hit with hail, yields are outstanding, with some farmers reporting 75 bushels per acre or better. A widespread swath of hail knocked 50 bushels per acre off those top end yields for many farmers, however. Average test weight is 63 pounds per bushel and protein, 11%.

Central Plains Coop manager Jerald Ratliff says harvest has been underway since Friday in Smith County; the cooperative has taken in about 200,000 bushels in its three locations. Farmers report 50- to 60-bushel per acre yields, test weights about 60 pounds per bushel, and protein values, 11%.

Farmers in the he United Farmers Cooperative’s Clifton and Clyde trade areas began harvest late last week. Gary Sipe at the Clyde location says about 10-15% of the crop is in the bin. Farmers are reporting 59 pound test weights and yields in the 40 bushel per acre range. Protein scores have not been received yet. UFC locations in Republic and Washington counties were hammered by hail and strong winds a month ago, and Sipe expects the cooperative to receive half a normal harvest.

Kansas Association of Wheat Growers director Dan Engler, Downs, says despite severe weather flattening some of his fields, wheat in early-planted fields is averaging about 60 bushels per acre and test weights, 60-61 pounds per bushel. Later-planted wheat is not faring as well. All in all, Engler reports being pleasantly surprised with the 2010 harvest.

The 2010 Harvest Salute to Producers is brought to you by Kansas Wheat in conjunction with sponsors Kansas City Board of Trade, DeBruce Grain and the Kansas Grain & Feed Association.

Click here for an audio version.

This is Day 10 of the 2010 Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports, brought to you by the Kansas City Board of Trade, DeBruce Grain, the Kansas Grain & Feed Association, the Kansas Wheat Commission and Kansas Association of Wheat Growers.

With fine harvest conditions throughout the state, the 2010 wheat harvest is wrapping up in southern Kansas and just beginning in northern counties.

In Franklin County, Matthew Vajnar, grain merchandiser at Ottawa Coop Association says harvest is nearly complete. Just 100,000 bushels were received across the cooperative’s 13 locations; normally, the coop takes in 1 million bushels. Test weight ranged from 55 to 59 pounds per bushel; protein, from 10 to 13%. Farmers reported yields ranging from 15 to 25 bushels per acre.

At Farmway Coop’s Clay Center location, manager Tom Stewart says harvest is in full swing and about 30% of the crop is in the bin. The crop is average overall, with test weights about 58.5 pounds per bushel, protein, 10.5 to 11 and farmers reporting yields about 45 bushels per acre.

Scott Van Allen, Kansas Wheat Commissioner from Clearwater, finished a disappointing harvest Thursday. Yields on early-planted wheat were good, averaging about 45 bushels per acre; while wheat planted late last fall only produced about 32 bushels per acre. Test weights stayed at 60-plus pounds throughout harvest.

Harvest is in full swing at Hays, where Midland Marketing grain merchandiser Bill Burton, says the 2010 crop will be above average overall. Each of Midland Marketing’s 11 locations from Palco to Lacrosse is taking grain, and company-wide the yield averages about 54 bushels per acre. Test weight is 62 pounds on average and protein, 11.5 to 12%. This year’s harvest is better than last year’s.

The harvest is just beginning in Marienthal, where Doug Johnson, manager of the Scott Cooperative location there says test weights average 61.7 pounds per bushel and early yields were reported in the 40 bushel per acre range. Johnson anticipates the yields will be higher as harvest progresses and early on, no protein values have been received. The 2010 harvest will be average overall; there are fewer acres in Wichita County, but higher than normal yield will make up the difference.

The 2010 Harvest Salute to Producers is brought to you by Kansas Wheat in conjunction with sponsors Kansas City Board of Trade, DeBruce Grain and the Kansas Grain & Feed Association.

Click here for an audio version.

This is Day 9 of the 2010 Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports, brought to you by the Kansas City Board of Trade, DeBruce Grain, the Kansas Grain & Feed Association, the Kansas Wheat Commission and Kansas Association of Wheat Growers.

Wheat harvest action is widespread across Kansas, edging northward with each passing day.

Gary Millershaski, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers secretary from Lakin, began harvest on Monday. Thus far, yields are averaging 65-plus bushels per acre, with test weights from 61 to 62 pounds per bushel. Millershaski says fields that were sprayed with fungicide seem to feature heavier kernel weight and 15-20 bushels better yield. An inch of rain Tuesday will keep farmers in the Lakin area out of the field for a couple of days.

In the Jetmore area, harvest is about 50% complete, with 400,000 bushels taken into the Dodge City Coop Exchange’s Jetmore location as of June 23. Test weights are averaging 63.1 pounds per bushel and protein values range from 11.4 to 12%. Location manager Shane Eck says farmers have reported yields from 40 to 70 bushels per acre, with a 52 bushel per acre average. The crop overall is slightly above average.

Harvest has been steady for the past three days in the Russell area, according to Dan Bernard, general manager of Agco, Inc. in Russell. Farmers are harvesting an above average crop thus far, with yields averaging about 55 bushels per acre; test weights about 61 pounds per bushel and protein values ranging from 10.5 to 12.7. Bernard says harvest in the area is about 35% complete.

Bob Johnson, manager of the Cloud County Co-op, Concordia, anticipates an average to below average crop overall. Test weights early on are 58-59 pounds per bushel and protein is 11.5%. Yields range from 35 to 50 bushels per acre. Johnson believes harvest will get rolling in the Concordia area in a few days.

At the North Central Kansas Co-op in Hope, manager Darel Anderson reports harvest began on June 19, although with many farmers still planting and putting up hay, the pace has been slow. Those that are cutting are reporting yields in the mid-40s and test weights are between 59-60 pounds per bushel. Protein values are averaging close to 12%, better than last year’s 10.5 average.

The 2010 Harvest Salute to Producers is brought to you by Kansas Wheat in conjunction with sponsors Kansas City Board of Trade, DeBruce Grain and the Kansas Grain & Feed Association.

Click here for an audio version.

This is Day 8 of the 2010 Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports, brought to you by the Kansas City Board of Trade, DeBruce Grain, the Kansas Grain & Feed Association, the Kansas Wheat Commission and Kansas Association of Wheat Growers.

With another day of good harvest weather throughout most of the state, combines were harvesting from Caldwell to Clay Center and Hope to Horace.

Bill Maskus, Grain Division Manager of Dodge City Coop Exchange, says harvest is in full swing throughout his Coop’s 14 locations, with the bulk of cutting happening in the last week. So far the Coop has taken in 2.5 million bushels and the crop seems to exceed expectations. Test weights have averaged nearly 63 pounds per bushel even in drier regions; early yield reports average 60-plus bushels per acre. Protein values thus far range from 9-15%. Maskus says that with good weather he expects the area to be mostly finished up by the end of the month.

In Hillsboro, Lyman Adams, general manager of Hillsboro Coop, says harvest is about 50% complete, with about 300,000 bushels received since last Thursday. Test weights average 60 pounds per bushel and farmers are reporting yield ranges of 40-50 bushels per acre on dryland wheat. Protein values average about 12%, which Adams attributes to a dryer than normal spring.

Richard Fisher, manager of Farmers Coop Union in Sterling, says cutting in that part of Rice County commenced June 16 and that 50% of the harvest is complete, with more than 300,000 bushels taken in at the Sterling location. Dryland wheat yields range from 30-60 bushels per acre and test weights average 61.8 pounds per bushel. Protein levels average about 12.5% in what is expected to be an average to slightly above average crop. Fisher estimates most of the cutting to wrap up by the end of next week, but expects some farmers will still be cutting on Independence Day.

Finally, Steve Clanton, Kansas Wheat Commissioner from Minneapolis, began cutting Tuesday. His first field, a blend of three varieties, averaged 40 bushels per acre and test weights are 60 pounds per bushel. Harvest began in Ottawa County on Sunday and Clanton expects area farmers to reap an above average crop.

The 2010 Harvest Salute to Producers is brought to you by Kansas Wheat in conjunction with sponsors Kansas City Board of Trade, DeBruce Grain and the Kansas Grain & Feed Association.

Click here for an audio version.

This is Day 7 of the 2010 Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports, brought to you by the Kansas City Board of Trade, DeBruce Grain, the Kansas Grain & Feed Association, the Kansas Wheat Commission and Kansas Association of Wheat Growers.

The harvest pace is picking up throughout Kansas, with combines rolling as far north as Lincoln. Rick Wolting, general manager of Farmway Coop in Lincoln, says harvest began Monday. Test weights have ranged from 60-63 pounds per bushel. On early samples, protein values range from 10.5-11%. The area harvest is expected to be about average overall.

Meanwhile in southern Kansas, Nathan Holman, manager of United Prairie Ag in Hugoton, says harvest is about 20% complete, with farmers reporting 50 bushel per acre yields on dryland wheat. Test weight has exceeded the 60 pound per bushel benchmark and protein averages from 11 to 13.5%; below last year’s 13% overall average.

Kansas Wheat Commissioner Matt Overturf says harvest in Stanton County has been going since last week. Dryland wheat fields are yielding 50 bushels per acre on average, with 61 pound per bushel test weights on Hard Red Winter wheat; Hard White Wheat test weights average 64 pounds per bushel. Protein levels average about 12%. About 2 million bushels have been received in the company’s 10 locations thus far, meaning harvest is about 15% complete.

Leon Sowers, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers director, is about 50% complete with his harvest. Late fall rains followed by extended periods of drought, then excess rain have hurt yields and quality. Although test weights have averaged 60 pounds per bushel, yields range from 20-35 bushels per acre.

In the Sublette area, yields range from 37 to 66 bushels per acre on dryland wheat, with irrigated fields expected to be better. Test weight averages are 63 pounds per bushel and early protein samples show a 12.5% average, according to Lawrence Baxa, grain department head at the Sublette Co-op. With about 350,000 bushels harvested as of Monday afternoon, harvest in Haskell County is about 30% complete.

The 2010 Harvest Salute to Producers is brought to you by Kansas Wheat in conjunction with sponsors Kansas City Board of Trade, DeBruce Grain and the Kansas Grain & Feed Association.

Click here for an audio version.

This is Day 6 of the 2010 Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports, brought to you by the Kansas City Board of Trade, DeBruce Grain, the Kansas Grain & Feed Association, the Kansas Wheat Commission and Kansas Association of Wheat Growers.

Hot, dry weather prevailed over much of Kansas throughout Father’s Day weekend, allowing farmers all over the state to begin or resume wheat harvest activities. The exception was in a four-county area of north central Kansas, where a swath of vicious thunderstorms spawned hail and tornadic activity, wiping out one of the best wheat crops in nearly four decades.

At the Andale Farmers Coop in Andale, Steve Shaver reports that harvest in the cooperative’s Andale and Sedgwick locations is about 50% complete, with nearly 280,000 bushels taken in at the Andale cooperative alone. Wheat quality is a pleasant surprise, with protein ranging from 11.5 to 14%. Test weights are in the 58-59 pound per bushel range, and yield estimates appear to be average. Overall, the harvest is slightly better than expected by producers, Shaver says.

Near Haven, fields are still muddy after several inches of rain last week, but the difficulty is not taking the shine off what is shaping up to be an above-average harvest early on. The Mid-Kansas Coop Association in Haven is in its third full day of wheat harvest, with early protein samples averaging 12% and test weights, 60 pounds per bushel. Yields appear to be above average so far.

Custom harvesting crews are just now getting to Greensburg, where the Southern Plains Co-op has taken in 195,000 bushels as of Sunday. With harvest just getting underway, early yield reports are in excess of 55-60 bushels per acre. Test weight average is 60-61 pounds per bushel but no protein tests have been received yet.

Kansas Wheat Commissioner Dean Stoskopf began harvesting Saturday, where widespread rains last week left plenty of mudholes to combine around. Moisture is in the 12% range, test weights average about 62 pounds per bushel. Area farmers are reporting yields of about 50 bushels per acre.

The 2010 Harvest Salute to Producers is brought to you by Kansas Wheat in conjunction with sponsors Kansas City Board of Trade, DeBruce Grain and the Kansas Grain & Feed Association.

Click here for an audio version.

This is day four of the 2010 Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports, brought to you by the Kansas City Board of Trade, DeBruce Grain, the Kansas Grain & Feed Association, the Kansas Wheat Commission and Kansas Association of Wheat Growers.

After several days of rain and high humidity, the 2010 Kansas wheat harvest resumed throughout Kansas on June 17, creeping as far north as Salina.

Joe Kejr, Brookville, began test cutting just south of Salina on Wednesday. Moisture has averaged 12.5%; test weight averaging greater than 60 pounds per bushel and protein ranging from 12.5-13. Kejr says yields are average to a little above average. Harvest activity in Saline County is just now picking up, but with hot, windy days in the forecast, by this weekend it will be in full gear.

Rick Kimbrel, at Valley Co-op in Winfield says harvest has resumed after a several days hiatus, due to three-plus inches of rain last weekend. Test weights are still in the 60-pound range, although moisture ranges from 13-15%. Kimbrel expects Valley Co-op’s six locations will receive a total of about 750,000 bushels, which is about 75% of a normal wheat crop.

Dan Cashier, manager of the Anthony Farmers Coop in Anthony, says harvest has just begun in Harper County. After six-plus inches of rain in the last week, harvest progress will be slow as farmers are fighting mud. The precipitation amounts have driven test weights down to about 58 pounds per bushel on average; protein values also will be below average. Yields, however, are expected to average a better-than-expected 40 bushels per acre, Cashier says.

At the Offerle Coop Grain and Supply in Bucklin, farmers started cutting Wednesday, after fields began drying out after a five-inch rain last weekend. Most of the wheat continues to have test weights from 60- to 64-pounds per bushel and protein levels are variable, but averaging 12.5-13.

The 2010 Harvest Salute to Producers is brought to you by Kansas Wheat in conjunction with sponsors Kansas City Board of Trade, DeBruce Grain and the Kansas Grain & Feed Association.

Kansas Wheat is the cooperative agreement between the Kansas Wheat Commission and the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, joining together as “leaders in the adoption of profitable innovations for wheat.”

Widespread rainfall throughout Kansas has curtailed progress of the 2010 wheat harvest. Weekend rains dumped from 0.10” of rain in Morton County, to 7.29” of rain in Neosho County, according to the Kansas Agricultural Statistics Weekly Crop Progress and Condition Report, released Monday afternoon.

Matt Overturf with Skyland Grain in Johnson says harvest could get underway in Stanton County by Wednesday, while Randy Ackerman, general manager of the Meade Coop Elevator and Supply in Meade says nearly three inches of rain shut down harvest progress. Meanwhile, Ron Hansen, general manager of the OK Coop Grain Co. in Kiowa, says from three to four inches of rain fell last week, likely keeping combines at bay until the end of this week.

The 2010 Harvest Reports will continue Wednesday afternoon at the earliest.

Ron Hansen, general manager of the OK Coop Grain Co. in Kiowa, says about 400,000 bushels have been taken into the company’s locations so far. Protein is averaging 11.8 across all locations, and test weights average 62.7 pounds per bushel. Farmers are reporting better than expected yields, with at least one report of 50 bushels per acre. Hansen says harvest is just gaining steam, as about 2.6 million bushels are expected to be taken in at the cooperative’s four locations.

Elsewhere in Barber County, Lloyd Ohl, location manager of the Farmers Coop Equity of Medicine Lodge, says a lot of farmer are sampling wheat fields at this point, with most fields too wet to harvest. One producer has cut several thousand bushels, estimating a 40-plus bushel per acre average, with test weights averaging about 62 pounds per bushel. Protein values have not been tested yet. With nearly all wheat left to cut, Ohl expects farmers will harvest an average to above average crop.

Martin Schmidt, manager of the Anthony Farmers Co-op in Harper, says a few farmers are harvesting wheat after weekend rains slowed harvest progression. Test weights range from 61 to 63 pounds per bushel; no yields or protein levels have been recorded yet.

Jay Sherman, branch manager of the Farmers Co-op in Coldwater, says harvest is just starting in Comanche County, with one producer bringing in wheat that is averaging greater than 60 pounds per bushel in test weight; and 13% moisture. Sherman reports that area elevators are bringing in wheat averaging 12 protein, although he has not received any protein results from his harvest.

The 2010 Harvest Salute to Producers is brought to you by Kansas Wheat in conjunction with sponsors Kansas City Board of Trade, DeBruce Grain and the Kansas Grain & Feed Association.

Kansas Wheat is the cooperative agreement between the Kansas Wheat Commission and the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, joining together as “leaders in the adoption of profitable innovations for wheat.”