June 24, 2009

Farmers throughout Kansas are starting to resume their wheat harvest following rains this weekend, according to a report from growers' group Kansas Wheat.

Most farmers around Elkhart, in far southwestern Kansas, were able to return to the fields Monday, the report said. The Elkhart Cooperative Equity Exchange has taken in 400,000 bushels so far, with test weights ranging from 58 pounds per bushel to 63 pounds, it said. Moisture levels range from 10 percent to 14 percent.

KAMO Grain Inc. in Pittsburgh, in far southeastern Kansas, had taken in 80,000 bushels of wheat as of Monday afternoon, according to Kansas Wheat. Test weights average about 57.5 pounds, with "little dockage" and moisture levels around 13 percent, the group said.

Around Great Bend, in central Kansas, harvest is "off to a particularly slow start," the report said. The Great Bend Coop Association has taken in 30,000 bushels, all of which were brought in before the weekend, it said.

Test weights averaged around 60 pounds, with moisture levels usually under 13 percent, the report said. Farmers in the area are hoping to be able to resume cutting Tuesday after the wet weekend, it said.

Farmers around Scott City, in east-central Kansas, expect to cut their first wheat Tuesday, according to Kansas Wheat. ADM Grain said harvest hadn't started in the area yet due to wetness, according to the group.

"Yields in the area appear to be average, but more will be known as the first loads come in," the report said.

Kansas farmers planted wheat on 9.6 million acres this year and are expected to produce 340 million bushels, with an average yield of 40 bushels, according to the US Department of Agriculture. Last year, wheat was planted on 10.4 million acres and production came in at 356 million bushels, with an average yield of 40 bushels.

Kansas Wheat is the cooperative agreement between the Kansas Wheat Commission and the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers. The group issues harvest reports throughout the cutting season.