Wheat harvest set to begin in earnest
Staff writer
A day of near-100-degree temperatures and 20 percent humidity sent farmers into the fields Monday to do some test cutting of wheat, and some of it was dry and ready for harvest.
The Cooperative Grain and Supply elevator at Hillsboro took in its first load on Saturday. By Monday evening, it had received 37,000 bushels. According to grain coordinator Dick Tippin, moisture was in the 12 to 13 percent range. Anything above 14.5 percent is considered wet.
More than 14,000 bushels were received at the Marion elevator. By the end of the day, the wheat had dried from 15.5 to 13.5 percent moisture. Manager Mike Thomas said the grain had a test weight of 62 pounds per bushel or more. Normal test weight is 60 pounds. Thomas said farmers are expecting some fields to yield 40 to 45 bushels per acre.
The Mid-Kansas Cooperative elevator at Peabody received a little wheat Monday.
“It’s not quite ready,” manager Phil Timken said. “It’s just a little wet. It needs another day or two of sunshine.”
He said farmers are surprised the wheat seems to be yielding well. It also appears to be of good quality, with high test weights and protein levels.
The Agri-Producers elevator in Lincolnville took in one load of wheat on Monday. It tested 13.5 percent moisture.
The Tampa elevator received samples of grain on Monday, and most of them tested wet. Roger Will said farmers in the area don’t know how the wheat will yield.
“We’ll probably know by the weekend,” he said.
Sprinkles fell in the area overnight, and a frontal passage Tuesday clouded the sky, increasing humidity to 84 percent and stopping the harvest temporarily. It is expected to be in full swing later in the week.
Last modified June 16, 2011