June 11, 2010

 

 

Big storms and heavy rains stalled the beginning of harvest in about a third of Kansas state, including the largest wheat-growing region in south central Kansas, Wheat Commission CEO Justin Gilpin stated.

 

"As of now, it's just kept guys out of the field from getting harvest really started. At this point, we're just getting started, so what we need is for the rains to back off and give us a couple good, hot, dry harvest days," Gilpin said.

 

If the rain persists, that will cause concerns about getting the wheat out of the field and potential quality issues relating to test weights, yields or other quality concerns.

 

"Hopefully we can get a day or two to get some wheat out of the fields. Wheat does not like wet feet, so we're hoping that things dry out," he added.

 

There hasn't been a big impact to the overall industry or the price of wheat with harvest beginning in Texas and Oklahoma. But if the rains become a bigger issue next week and further delay harvest, it could become a larger concern.

 

Kansas farmers are waiting to see what the weather brings. When farmers can get into the field, they're going to need to take advantage of the opportunity to avoid potential future rains and get as much done as possible.

 

Due to Kansas' varying conditions, Gilpin said above-average yields were expected in areas that received good moisture in the spring. High temperatures affected yield potential in the last few weeks before the rains hit.

 

"For the most part, we're expecting an average crop as far as yields and proteins," Gilpin said.

 

Even though the region's harvest doesn't begin until about the second week of July, soft white prices in the Northwest follow prices in Kansas City and the CBOT.

 

Prices are often lower at harvest, just as wheat supplies begin hitting the market. Squires said the same circumstances are occurring this year, but how much impact the rains in Kansas might have remains to be seen.

 

Gilpin said the rain might provide some benefit in the northern regions of Kansas and in Nebraska, where the crop was still finishing out. But overall, the rain will bring little help to the state's crop.