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This is the 18th and final 2012 Kansas Wheat Harvest Report, brought to you by the Kansas City Board of Trade, the Kansas Grain & Feed Association, the Kansas Wheat Commission and Kansas Association of Wheat Growers.

The 2012 wheat harvest is nearly complete, according to the weekly Crop Report issued by Kansas Ag Statistics Monday. Statewide, 96% of the crop was harvested by the end of the weekend, and with temperatures again climbing to triple digits Monday, a good portion of the wheat left in the field will be cut by mid-week.

In Cheyenne County, the Wheeler Coop Mercantile filled its silos with a million bushels of wheat in just 12 days, according to manager Dale Weeks. Farmers reported yields ranging from 30 to 90 bushels per acre, with most farmers averaging between 60 and 70. Test weight ranged from 60 to 64 pounds, with protein averaging 11.

St. Francis area farmer Chuck Downey finished harvest on Sunday. Yields in his area of Cheynne County were surprisingly good, considering very little rain came in May. Yields ranged between 40 and 75 bushels per acre, with 59 to 63 pound test weights and 12 protein on average. Downey says the Syngenta variety Sy Gold and WestBred’s Stout were his top varieites.

Harvest is about finished at the Frontier Ag elevator in Kanorado. Tamara Nagel says the 2012 harvest will be about normal in total bushels received; the elevator has taken in more than one million bushels in all with just a few days of activity remaining. Farmers report yields ranging from 50 to 60 bushels per acre, with 60 pound test weights and protein about 12.

Cornerstone Ag in Colby is finished with harvest, according to Audrey Hines. The company’s three locations in Colby took in about 1.6 million bushels in all, about half a normal year. Yields average about 50 bushels per acre, with 60 pound test weights and protein at 11.5.

KAWG Director Roger May is finishing his last field of the 2012 harvest. Yields in his area of Decatur County range from 40 to 70 bushels per acre and test weight is above 60 pounds per bushel. The varieties Tam 111 and Sy Gold have been his best performers.

The 2012 Harvest Report is brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers and sponsors Kansas City Board of Trade, and the Kansas Grain & Feed Association.

For information, contact:

Bill Spiegel, director of communications, bspiegel@kswheat.com

Nicole Stieben, communications assistant, nicolestieben@gmail.com

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This is Day 16 of the 2012 Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports, brought to you by the Kansas City Board of Trade, the Kansas Grain & Feed Association, the Kansas Wheat Commission and Kansas Association of Wheat Growers.

Farmers are pleasantly surprised at the wheat crop in Decatur County, according to Kurt Anderson, general manager of the Decatur Coop Assn. in Oberlin. Anderson says area farmers are 25% finished with the harvest so far, and things look better than expected. Just a week into the 2012 harvest, yields average 50 bushels per acre and test weights, 62 pounds.

With about 25% of the area’s wheat cut, harvest is in full swing in Decatur County, says Roger May, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers Director and farmer from Oberlin. May’s crop has been better than expected with test weights averaging 62 pounds per bushel and yields ranging from 40 to 70 bushels per acre.

Farmers in Logan County are having trouble finding dry wheat fields after rain showers moved through the area this past weekend. Richard Kvansnicka, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers Director and farmer from Winona, started cutting his crop last Wednesday but is only 15% done. So far test weights have been averaging 62 pounds per bushel with yields around 40 bushels per acre.

Justin Foss, manager of the Frontier Ag elevator in Rexford, says harvest is about 25% complete in Thomas County. Wheat yields are variable, depending upon crop rotation; continuous wheat ranges from 20 to 40 bushels per acre, summer-fallowed wheat is as high as 60 bushels per acre. Test weights average about 61 pounds per bushel. Foss expects the 2012 harvest to be about average overall.

A hailstorm last week took out some several fields in Norton County, but the remaining crop is doing well, according to Susan Gigenbach, with Ag Valley Coop in Norton. Protein averages 11.5, test weights are above 60 pounds and yields range from 40 to 50 bushels per acre. Harvest is just getting geared up, Gigenbach says.

The 2012 Harvest Report is brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers and sponsors Kansas City Board of Trade, and the Kansas Grain & Feed Association.

For information, contact:

Bill Spiegel, director of communications, bspiegel@kswheat.com

Nicole Stieben, communications assistant, nicolestieben@gmail.com

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This is Day 15 of the 2012 Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports, brought to you by the Kansas City Board of Trade, the Kansas Grain & Feed Association, the Kansas Wheat Commission and Kansas Association of Wheat Growers.

The Kansas wheat harvest is about 75% complete and reports from across the state indicate a very good quality crop so far.

Farmers in Barber County finished a successful harvest over the weekend. In its seven locations, the OK Coop Grain Company took in 3 million bushels, which is above the company’s five-year average, according to general manager Steve Inslee. Area farmers averaged 45-55 bushels per acre and crop quality was excellent, with 12 protein and 61 pound per bushel test weights on average.

In Wellington, the “Wheat Capital of Kansas,” farmers are pleased with the 2012 wheat crop, says Curt Guinn, general manager of the Farmers Coop Grain Association there. Sumner County farmers averaged 45 to 50 bushels per acre, with 60 pound test weights and a protein average of 11.3. Among the company’s five locations, more than 4 million bushels were received, about 30% more than a typical year.

With 11 locations in western Kansas and eastern Colorado, Skyland Grain is about 50% complete with harvest, according to Matt Overturf at the company’s Johnson location. He says both the Hard Red and Hard White crops average about 61 pounds and 12 protein, with yields ranging from 10 to 50, averaging 30 bushels per acre. Farmers are just beginning to harvest irrigated wheat, with yields expected to average about 65 bushels per acre. Overturf says harvest should be finished in a week.

The early wheat harvest was one of the best ever for Jim Michael, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers Director from McCune. Michael saw above average yields of 70 bushels per acre and test weights above 60 pounds per bushel. Everest was his best variety. Harvest in southeast Kansas has been finished for several days.

Mike Jordan, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers secretary/treasurer from Beloit, says harvest is virtually complete in southern Mitchell County. His yields vary from 40 to 70 bushels per acre and average about 50. Like many Kansas farmers, Jordan says yields could have been dramatically improved with one more rain after flag leaf emergence.

The 2012 Harvest Report is brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers and sponsors Kansas City Board of Trade, and the Kansas Grain & Feed Association.

For information, contact:

Bill Spiegel, director of communications, bspiegel@kswheat.com

Nicole Stieben, communications assistant, nicolestieben@gmail.com

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This is Day 14 of the 2012 Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports, brought to you by the Kansas City Board of Trade, the Kansas Grain & Feed Association, the Kansas Wheat Commission and Kansas Association of Wheat Growers.

The Scott County wheat harvest is about 50% complete, according to Rich Randall, chairman of the Kansas Wheat Commission. The Scott City area farmer has experienced yields from 9 to 60 bushels per acre, but the wheat in northern Scott County averages about 45 bushels per acre. Test weight is 60 to 63 pounds per bushel. Jagalene is his best variety.

Cornerstone Ag in Colby has taken in about 300,000 bushels thus far, says manager Eric Sperber. Yields range from 10 to 70 bushels per acre, averaging about 45, depending upon a farmer’s crop rotation. Test weight averages 60 pounds and protein about 11.5, says Sperber, who also is a director on the KAWG board. Generally, farmers have been pleasantly surprised at the yields.

With about 40% of the area’s wheat cut, harvest is in full swing in Wichita County, says Doug Johnson, manager of the Scott Cooperative in Marienthal. The crop has been better than farmers expected given that little precipitation has fallen in the last two months. Farmers report yields ranging from 9 to 45 bushels per acre, averaging about 22; test weight averages 61 pounds. Irrigated wheat should be even better, but will not be harvested for several days.

After two weeks of cutting, KAWG director Randy Fritzemeier finished June 9. Fritzemeier averaged 45.5 bushels per acre, with a range of 22 to 63. Test weight averaged 62 pounds. The variety Stout was his best performer, with Everest a close second.

Roger Schuster, grain merchandiser at Frontier Ag’s Oakley location, says harvest is wrapping up in the cooperative’s eastern trade area, and just getting rolling in the west. Test weights and protein in the company’s Graham and Trego county locations average 61 pounds and about 11.5, respectively; yields average between 40 and 45 bushels per acre.

The 2012 Harvest Report is brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers and sponsors Kansas City Board of Trade, and the Kansas Grain & Feed Association.

For information, contact:

Bill Spiegel, director of communications, bspiegel@kswheat.com

Nicole Stieben, communications assistant, nicolestieben@gmail.com

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This is Day 13 of the 2012 Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports, brought to you by the Kansas City Board of Trade, the Kansas Grain & Feed Association, the Kansas Wheat Commission and Kansas Association of Wheat Growers.

While farmers are working to bring in the 2012 wheat crop, the USDA on Tuesday forecasted the Kansas crop at 387 million bushels, unchanged from the May estimate but 40% more than the 2011 crop. If realized, this would be the highest production since 2003. Farmers are expected to harvest an average 43 bushels per acre from 9 million acres in Kansas.

David Schemm, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers President, says combines are rolling in the Sharon Springs area as the winds have been drying down the wheat quickly. His crop has had average yields of 35 bushels per acre, with test weights averaging 61 pounds per bushel and protein of 13.1. Schemm has been surprised by the yields coming from early fields and is excited to get to his better wheat later this week.

Farmers in Greeley County have been going strong since Saturday, according to Tammy Hild at the Tribune Grain, LLC. The crop is below average in yield, total bushels and quality, as test weights average 58 pounds per bushels and protein, 11.5. Hild expects the crop to improve as progress heads into the northern part of the county.

Kansas Wheat Commissioner Mike McClellan, Palco, is about two thirds done with harvest. So far, his crop has averaged 38 bushels per acre, with test weights ranging from 60 to 62 pounds per bushel. McClellan says the varieties Armour and Hawken have been his best performers this year.

Shane Ohlde, certified seed grower from Palmer, says the wheat in Clay and Washington counties has performed well, with yields averaging between 50 and 60 bushels per acre and test weights, 61 to 64 pounds. Ohlde says the varieties Cedar and Everest are top performers, while a three-way blend of Everest, Armour and Hitch has also been very solid.

Wheat has been steadily rolling into Cargill’s North Topeka facility, according to company spokespersons. About 50% of the fields from Topeka north to Highway 36 are harvested, with farmers reporting yields of about 55 bushels per acre on average. Test weights average 60 pounds per bushel, with protein averaging 10.5 to 11. Rain Monday morning slowed harvest progress a bit, although it was picking up Tuesday afternoon.

The 2012 Harvest Report is brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers and sponsors Kansas City Board of Trade, and the Kansas Grain & Feed Association.

For information, contact:

Bill Spiegel, director of communications, bspiegel@kswheat.com

Nicole Stieben, communications assistant, nicolestieben@gmail.com

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This is Day 12 of the 2012 Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports, brought to you by the Kansas City Board of Trade, the Kansas Grain & Feed Association, the Kansas Wheat Commission and Kansas Association of Wheat Growers.

By the end of the day Sunday, 53% of the state’s wheat crop had been harvested, according to the weekly Crop Progress report from Kansas Ag Statistics. In an average year, just 2% of the crop would be harvested by June 10.

Jason Ochs, Kansas Wheat Commissioner from Syracuse, began cutting wheat Sunday. Despite continued dry weather, Ochs is pleased that his field of Danby white wheat is yielding about 30 bushels per acre. Test weight is excellent, at 62 pounds per bushel. He says harvest in Hamilton County will be in full swing by Wednesday.

Farmers in the Wakeeney area are about 75% finished with what will be an above average harvest, according to Lynette King at the Frontier Ag location there. King says crop quality is very good, with test weight averaging 62.4 pounds per bushel and protein averaging 11.5. Yields range from 18 to 58 bushels per acre, with a 49 bushel average.

Farmers in Phillips County are just getting started, according to Renee Miles at Rangleand Coop in Phillipsburg. Among the company’s six locations, test weight averages 61.98 pounds per bushel and protein about 11. Early on, yields average about 50 bushels per acre. Harvest is winding down in Washington County, according to Shelley Peters at the United Farmers Coop in Washington. She says area farmers have been pleasantly surprised with yields, averaging about 40 bushels per acre. Test weights range from 59 to 63 pounds per bushel, averaging 60. It will be three to four days before farmers are pretty well finished with the 2012 harvest.

Kansas Wheat Commissioner Jay Armstrong, Muscotah, finished harvest Saturday. His 2012 crop averaged 42 bushels per acre, with 63 pound test weights and 11.2 protein. Armstrong says the variety Everest was his best performer. The market for wheat straw has been very good; Armstrong says farmers have had the opportunity to sell straw right out of the field.

The 2012 Harvest Report is brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers and sponsors Kansas City Board of Trade, and the Kansas Grain & Feed Association.

For information, contact:

Bill Spiegel, director of communications, bspiegel@kswheat.com

Nicole Stieben, communications assistant, nicolestieben@gmail.com

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This is Day 11 of the 2012 Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports, brought to you by the Kansas City Board of Trade, the Kansas Grain & Feed Association, the Kansas Wheat Commission and Kansas Association of Wheat Growers.

Already, the 2012 wheat harvest in east and central Kansas appears to be winding down, while farmers in west central Kansas are just shifting into high gear.

Gale Baxa at the Cloud County Coop in Concordia says harvest is about 75% complete and could be finished mid-week, weather permitting. The crop has been about average overall, with yields ranging from 20 to 70 bushels per acre. Protein is about 11.5 and test weight averages 60 pounds. The Concordia location has taken in close to 1 million bushels.

Kansas Wheat Commission Chairman Rich Randall is searching for dry fields this weekend, but harvest got into full swing at the Scott County Coop last week; the company had taken in 280,000 bushels as of Friday. Randall says area farmers expect yields between 20 and 50 bushels per acre. So far, test weights have averaged 60 pounds or higher and the variety Tam 111 appears to be performing very well.

Deb Miller at the Farmers Union Mercantile in Stockton says harvest ramped up last week, but slowed as farmers had cut all the ready wheat by Saturday. Activity picked up Sunday afternoon. Early on, farmers report good test weights, but yields range from 10 to 50 bushels per acre, with most fields averaging about 40. Early protein is 11.2. Miller says the company will take in more wheat than last year, but it will be a below-average crop overall.

Harvest is nearing completion at the Farmers Coop in Manhattan, according to grain merchandiser Doug Biswell. Farmers report yields ranging from 30 to 60 bushels per acre, with test weights averaging 62 pounds per bushel and protein, 11.5. Biswell says the company will handle about 350,000 bushels of wheat, which is 30% more than last year.

Justin Knopf, KAWG director from Salina, finished harvesting Saturday. He says crop yields varied from 45 to 65 bushels per acre, and averaged 50; test weights averaged 60.5 pounds per bushels and protein was about 11. The variety Everest was his best performer. Knopf says this year’s crop produced a tremendous amount of straw; as such, many farmers are hoping to add value to the wheat crop by baling the straw.

The 2012 Harvest Report is brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers and sponsors Kansas City Board of Trade, and the Kansas Grain & Feed Association.

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Note: the next Harvest Report will be distributed Sunday evening for release Monday.

This is Day 10 of the 2012 Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports, brought to you by the Kansas City Board of Trade, the Kansas Grain & Feed Association, the Kansas Wheat Commission and Kansas Association of Wheat Growers.

The western Kansas wheat crop has been disappointing so far.

Ron Suppes, Kansas Wheat Commissioner from Dighton, says two days into the 2012 harvest, yields are poor due to dry conditions that have overwhelmed the region. So far, yields range from 10 to 12 bushels per acre, although test weights have been good, weighing in at 61 pounds per bushel. Suppes is optimistic that the better wheat is yet to come and hopes it will yield anywhere from 30-40 bushels per acre.

Gary Millershaski, KAWG vice president from Lakin, says early on the harvest is dismal in Kearny County. He has spent the first few days harvesting wheat that died prematurely, and expects yields to range from 15 to 25 bushels per acre and test weights around 58 pounds per bushel. Millershaski says the area’s better wheat is still green, and could yield close to 40 bushels per acre. Of the varieties he planted, T151 appears to have the best yield potential, although Millershaski says crop rotation practices may influence yields more than variety selection this year.

Harvest is gearing up in Stanton County, says Matt Overturf, with Skyland Grain in Johnson. Three days into the 2012 crop, test weight averages 61 pounds per bushel and protein is 12. Yields range from 10 to 35 bushels per acre, with hit-or-miss rains this spring the difference between good yields and poor yields. Overturf expects 25% of this year’s harvest will be Hard White wheat, for which quality and yield is very similar to the Hard Red crop.

Ken Swinney, manager at the Fredonia Coop Association, says area farmers are about 70% finished. Test weight was 60 to 65 pounds when harvest began, but rain has dropped test weight to about 59 pounds, with protein holding steady at 11.5. Farmers report yields ranging from 40 to 80 bushels per acre, says Swinney, who adds that this year’s crop will total about 750,000 bushels – nearly 300,000 bushels more than most years.

At Midway Coop’s Osborne location, general manager Dell Princ says harvest is shaping up to be a bit better than farmers thought it would be. Yields range from 20 to 70 bushels per acre, with an average of about 40 bushels. Test weight is 61 pounds and protein ranges from 9 to 14, averaging 11.5. Princ says harvest is about 30% complete in Osborne County.

The 2012 Harvest Report is brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers and sponsors Kansas City Board of Trade, and the Kansas Grain & Feed Association.

For information, contact:

Bill Spiegel, director of communications, bspiegel@kswheat.com

Nicole Stieben, communications assistant, nicolestieben@gmail.com

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This is Day 9 of the 2012 Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports, brought to you by the Kansas City Board of Trade, the Kansas Grain & Feed Association, the Kansas Wheat Commission and Kansas Association of Wheat Growers.

The 2012 Wheat Harvest is inching closer to the Nebraska border, as combines are rolling north of Highway 36 throughout north central Kansas.

Harvest is just picking up steam at the Central Plains Coop in Smith Center, says controller Jim Sweat. This year’s take could be about half the cooperative’s 1 million bushel average crop, as farmers are reporting yields from 20 to 50 bushels per acre and test weights, 54 to 62 pounds per bushel.

Michael Jordan, KAWG Board Member from Beloit, started harvest on Monday in fields that were planted following soybean harvest last fall. Those fields are averaging about 40 bushels per acre, having run out of moisture the last six weeks. Still, test weights average better than 60 pounds per acre and protein is averaging 10.1 to 13.9. Jordan anticipates better yields in wheat that was planted earlier last fall.

Harvest in southern Dickinson County is about half done, according to Darel Anderson, manager of the North Central Kansas Coop in Hope. The crop has been a bit better than expected, with farmers report yields nearing 50 bushels per acre, 62 pound-per-bushel test weights and protein at 11.5 to 12. Anderson anticipates a larger overall harvest than in the past several years, as farmers planted more wheat last fall than in several years.

In central Kansas, Dave Radenberg, Kansas Wheat Commissioner from Claflin, is pleased with the 2012 harvest, with 60-61 pound test weights and low moisture. He anticipates farmers in the area will harvest about 40 bushels per acre on average; a good crop given the lack of moisture the last six weeks. Area farmers are about two-thirds done with harvest.

Dan Bernard, manager at Agco, Inc. in Russell, says crop quality in Russell County is good, with 60 pound test weighs and protein averaging 12.5. Farmers report yield ranges fom 10 to 55 bushels per acre, and a 35-40 bushel average. The cooperative’s total receipts should be in line with the five-year average and much better than last year’s crop, which was only about 65% of average.

Harvest is underway at Cooperative Grain & Supply in Bazine, according to manager Bryan Yohe. After taking in wheat for the past three days, test weights are averaging 60 pounds per bushel with yields anywhere from 20 to 50 bushels per acre and protein averaging 14. Most farmers in the area have been deeming it an average harvest.

The 2012 Harvest Report is brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers and sponsors Kansas City Board of Trade, and the Kansas Grain & Feed Association.

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This is Day 8 of the 2012 Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports, brought to you by the Kansas City Board of Trade, the Kansas Grain & Feed Association, the Kansas Wheat Commission and Kansas Association of Wheat Growers.

Harvest has moved into northwest Kansas, where farmers in Trego County began rolling on Sunday, according to Lynette King, secretary at Frontier Ag, Inc. in Wakeeney. Moisture of the wheat harvested so far ranges from 10 to 16%. Farmers are finding the crop to be better than expected with test weights ranging from 60 to 65 pounds per bushel. It’s too early for yield and protein data.

Mike McClellan, Kansas Wheat Commissioner and wheat farmer in Rooks County, began test cutting last week and got rolling Monday. So far, yields have been variable, ranging anywhere from 15 to 45 bushels per acre. McClellan says crop quality is good, with weights averaging 62 pounds per bushel and moisture, 13%.

Harvest is about 25% complete for Ken Wood, a Chapman area farmer and director of the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers. He began cutting prior to last week’s rainfall, and resumed again on Monday. Wood says test weight declined from 62 pounds to 60 pounds following the rain; yields range from 40 to 50 bushels per acre in what is expected to be an average harvest.

In the Team Marketing Association trade territory that includes 50 locations in nine counties in central Kansas, harvest is about 50% complete and farmers are having an above-average harvest overall, according to TMA’s Ted Schultz. Yields average a bit better than 50 bushels per acre, test weights are above 60 pounds per bushel and protein is 11.5.

Clay County farmers have just started harvesting in earnest, according to Jim Spector, manager at Farmway Coop in Clay Center. Yields range from 40 to 60 bushels per acre for the most part; test weights average 60 to 61 pounds per bushel and protein ranges from 10 to 11. Spector says farmers expect an above average harvest, and the elevator will take in more bushels than usual due to an increase in wheat acres planted last fall.

The 2012 Harvest Report is brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers and sponsors Kansas City Board of Trade, and the Kansas Grain & Feed Association.

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This is Day 7 of the 2012 Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports, brought to you by the Kansas City Board of Trade, the Kansas Grain & Feed Association, the Kansas Wheat Commission and Kansas Association of Wheat Growers.

Weekend showers fell over much of Kansas, temporarily pre-empting the 2012 Kansas wheat harvest. According to the weekly Crop Report from Kansas Ag Statistics, nearly every district in the state had started combining, with 20% of the Kansas crop already harvested. The crop is rated 40% good to excellent.

Harvest progress had moved north of Beloit in Mitchell County. Alan Tillberg, manager at Farmway Coop’s Beloit location says Monday was the first big day of harvest in Mitchell County, as farmers have found good quality wheat to cut. Yields range from 30 to 35 bushels per acre in wheat planted behind sobyeans last fall, to about 45 bushels per acre in continuous wheat fields. Protein averages about 12.5, while test weight is about 61 pounds. Tillberg says the wheat crop improves north and west of Beloit.

Rain stopped harvest for a few days last week for Kansas Wheat Commissioner Scott Van Allen, from Clearwater. Yields are above average across South Central Kansas, Van Allen reports. His own wheat is running between 50 and 65 bushels per acre; test weights 63 pounds per bushel. Van Allen said after rain fell mid-week last week, test weights decreased to about 60 pounds. Another rain Saturday night stopped harvest again over the weekend but it resumed on Monday.

With about 755,000 bushels taken in so far, harvest is 40% complete in the Larned area, according to Laurie Gales, grain accountant at the Pawnee County Coop Association there. Farmers report 40 bushel to the acre yield averages, with test weights running about 55 to 60 pounds per bushel after showers have slowed harvest the last week.

Harvest is about one-third complete at the Farmers Coop Union in Sterling, according to general manager Richard Fisher. Test weights range from 58-62 pounds per bushel among the cooperative’s 11 locations throughout Rice and surrounding counties; protein ranges from 12 to 14 on average. Fisher says yields in the Sterling area range from 30 to 50 bushels per acre and overall, it will be an average to slightly better harvest. Farmers could just about wrap up harvest in a week if the weather cooperates.

Near Dodge City, harvest began the tail end of last week just in time to be halted by rain, says Jerald Kemmerer, general manager of Pride Ag Resources. Test weights range from 51 to 61 pounds per bushel, with yields averaging 25 bushels per acre but highly variable. Kemmerer says this year’s harvest will be about 30% less than an average year.

The 2012 Harvest Report is brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers and sponsors Kansas City Board of Trade, and the Kansas Grain & Feed Association.

For information, contact:

Bill Spiegel, director of communications, bspiegel@kswheat.com

This is Day 6 of the 2012 Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports, brought to you by the Kansas City Board of Trade, the Kansas Grain & Feed Association, the Kansas Wheat Commission and Kansas Association of Wheat Growers.

While farmers throughout Kansas welcomed the prospect of rain the evening of May 30, they were certainly wary of hail. As it turns out, several isolated hailstorms caused damage to wheat fields in northwest Kansas, according to Ellis County Extension Agent Stacy Campbell. Parched soils from Highway 83 east benefitted from rainfall totals ranging from one-quarter inch to 4-plus inches. For farmers west of that line however, the storm was just another missed opportunity in what has become a long drought.

The first big day of harvest in Stevens County occurred Wednesday, according to Jason Edwards, manager of United Prairie Ag in Hugoton. Farmers are facing a bleak harvest, with dryland wheat expected to yield about 20 bushels per acre. Still, that’s about three times the yield of last year’s crop, Edwards says. Test weights so far average 59 pounds per bushel.

Randy Ackerman, manager of the Meade Co-op Elevator and Supply in Meade, said the area received some light rain and hail, but that farmers resumed harvest Thursday afternoon. This harvest is poor, especially when considering how promising the crop looked six weeks ago. With 40% of the area harvest complete, just 300,000 bushels of wheat have been received. That’s well off the long-term pace of 1.2 million bushels. This year’s crop has yielded in the mid-20s. Quality is the lone bright spot of the 2012 harvest; test weight averages 61 pounds per bushel and protein averages 14.1.

Hillsboro farmer Paul Penner, who serves as 2nd Vice President of the National Association of Wheat Growers, says harvest was in full swing in his region until showers came Wednesday night. Penner was cutting wheat that yielded in the 50 bushel per acre range, with test weights around 62. Farmers in the area report even higher yields, and test weights vary from 57-60 pounds per bushel. Penner says the rain is welcome, as row crops were under duress from the dry weather.

Harvest was about two-third complete in the Anthony area on Wednesday before a thunderstorm dropped about an inch of much-needed rain, says Dan Cashier, manager of the Anthony Farmers Coop. Farmers are harvesting very good quality wheat, averaging 62 pounds per bushel and 11 protein. The elevator has taken in about 2.5 million bushels of wheat so far, with yields averaging well above 40 bushels per acre. Cashier reports some of the crop has suffered from light hail damage in the area.

The 2012 Harvest Report is brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers and sponsors Kansas City Board of Trade, and the Kansas Grain & Feed Association.

For information, contact:

Bill Spiegel, director of communications, bspiegel@kswheat.com

Nicole Stieben, communications assistant, nicolestieben@gmail.com

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This is Day 5 of the 2012 Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports, brought to you by the Kansas City Board of Trade, the Kansas Grain & Feed Association, the Kansas Wheat Commission and Kansas Association of Wheat Growers.

Nearly a week into the 2012 wheat harvest, Kansas farmers are finding a mixed bag of quality and yield.

Harvest is about 30% complete in Pratt County, where farmers are seeing good yields overall, according to grain merchandiser Jim Bob Lewton, with the Kanza Coop Assn. in Iuka. Lewton says test weights are above 60 pounds per bushel and protein is above 12. Farmers report yields ranging from 25 to 50 bushels per acre, with most fields averaging between 40 and 45 bushels per acre.

About 1.2 million bushels have been taken in at the Farmers Coop Company locations in Kiowa and Comanche counties, according to grain merchandiser John Francis. Crop quality is excellent, with test weights averaging 60-plus pounds per bushel and protein a touch above 13 at the Haviland location. However, farmers report 25-35 bushel yields; better than last year, but disappointing given how good the crop looked a month ago.

Farmers in the Hoisington area of Barton County are four days into the 2012 wheat harvest and so far the crop is not doing as well as expected. United Ag Service, Inc. has taken in 28,000 bushels of wheat with average test weights ranging from 54 to 62 pounds per bushel and moisture levels anywhere from 9.7 to 14 percent.

Harvest is just getting started for Kansas Wheat Commissioner Doug Keesling. The Rice County farmer says this year’s crop will be average as his wheat is running eight percent moisture with test weights averaging 58 pounds per bushel. Although today is his first day of cutting, Keesling says harvest is in full swing in the area.

About 75,000 bushels have been taken in at the ADM Grain facility in Kinsley, according to bookkeeper Linda Gumpenberger. Wheat quality has been very good, with test weight averaging 61.5 pounds and protein ranging from 10-14.9 and averaging 11.5. Farmers in Edwards County anticipate a good harvest, especially compared to last year’s dismal yields.

Farmers are about 25% complete with wheat harvest in the Marion area, where yields range from 50-65 bushels per acre, says Mike Thomas, manager at the Co-op Grain and Supply there. Crop quality is very good, with test weight averaging about 62 pounds per bushel and protein at 11. Thomas says this is shaping up to be a very good harvest for area farmers.

The 2012 Harvest Report is brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers and sponsors Kansas City Board of Trade, and the Kansas Grain & Feed Association.

For information, contact:

Bill Spiegel, director of communications, bspiegel@kswheat.com

Nicole Stieben, communications assistant, nicolestieben@gmail.com

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This is Day 4 of the 2012 Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports, brought to you by the Kansas City Board of Trade, the Kansas Grain & Feed Association, the Kansas Wheat Commission and Kansas Association of Wheat Growers.

Harvest has pushed as far north as Lincoln, Westfall and Vesper in Lincoln County, according to Mark Hafliger, commodity manager at AgMark, LLC. Loads have been intermittent so far at the three locations, but early test weights range from 55 to 61 and average 60 pounds per bushel; yields vary from 30 to 50 bushels per acre and protein ranges from 10 to 11.5.

Jeremy Kootz at the Ellsworth Coop in Holyrood says a few farmers started hauling in loads yesterday with moisture averaging 13% and test weights between 57 and 62 pounds per bushel. Although he is looking forward to harvest kicking into high gear soon, the forecast calls for much-needed rain, which will determine the pace for the rest of the week.

Harvest began May 26 for KAWG board member Randy Fritzemeier of Stafford. Yields on fields he has completed average about 45 bushels per acre; test weight averages 62 pounds per bushel, which has been a pleasant surprise given the extreme heat and dryness over the last month. Fritzemeier says isolated rains fell on some of his fields the first of the month, which helped his crop finish strong.

Yields are a little better than what farmers expected in the Team Marketing Alliance trade area, which covers 50 locations from Wichita to Salina. Areas that received timely rains showers are achieving yields from 50 to 70 bushels per acre; those that didn’t average 30-50 bushels per acre, according to TMA’s Ted Schultz. Quality and yield vary throughout the nine county area, but Schultz says protein and test weights are both good so far. Harvest will be in full blast in the region in a few days.

In southern Ford County, harvest is just beginning, according to Levi Benjamin, branch manager at the Offerle Coop Grain and Supply in Bucklin. After a day of light cutting, farmers are posting 58 pound per bushel test weights; protein is 13 and above. Yields average about 40 bushels per acre.

The 2012 Harvest Report is brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers and sponsors Kansas City Board of Trade, and the Kansas Grain & Feed Association.

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This is Day 3 of the 2012 Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports, brought to you by the Kansas City Board of Trade, the Kansas Grain & Feed Association, the Kansas Wheat Commission and Kansas Association of Wheat Growers.

While most Americans enjoyed a work-free Memorial Day Weekend, Kansas wheat farmers and custom harvest crews spent a warm and windy holiday weekend in the harvest fields. Temperatures soared into triple digits in areas of southern Kansas, and hot south winds sped up the ripening of the 2012 wheat crop.

In Minneapolis, Pat Breeding, grain merchandiser at the Scoular Company elevator there says light cutting is occurring, with farmers having brought in about 30,000 bushels of wheat on Monday. Test weight of this early-harvested crop averages about 59 pounds; protein is 10.5. Breeding anticipates the area wheat harvest will gear up mid-week. This is the earliest wheat harvest in Breeding’s 41 year career.

Near Kipp in Saline County, KAWG Director Justin Knopf has completed his first field of the 2012 harvest. The variety Everest yielded about 42 bushels per acre, with test weight averaging about 62 pounds per bushel. Knopf says wheat fields planted after soybean harvest last fall are maturing more rapidly than those planted earlier last fall; these fields are yielding surprisingly well given extreme heat and lack of moisture the last six weeks. Knopf expects better yields as harvest rolls along.

The Andale Farmers Coop locations in Andale and Colwich have taken in 18,000 and 16,000 bushels, respectively, so far. Farmers are still trying to find dry fields, according to grain manager Steve Morris. The crop is variable, with test weights ranging from 57 to 64 and averaging 61 pounds; and protein ranging from 9 to 14.6 and averaging about 10.5. Yields range from 30 to 60 bushels per acre, according to Morris, who says harvest should pick up steam on Tuesday.

Today is the first big day of harvest for Jim Michael, KAWG director from McCune in Crawford County. Farmers there expect a good harvest, and Michael says his field of the variety Everest yielded a bit better than 70 bushel per acre, with 63 pound test weights and moisture averaging 12.5. Southeast Kansas farmers planted 430,000 acres of wheat last fall; the highest total in nearly five years.

Farmers in the Protection area of Comanche County are eight days into the 2012 wheat harvest, says Brian Harris, manager of the Farmers Coop Company there. Test weights there average about 60 pounds per bushel and early protein samples averaged about 14. Custom harvesters in the area report yields between 30 and 45 bushels per acre. The harvest is about one-third complete.

The 2012 Harvest Salute to Producers is brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers and sponsors Kansas City Board of Trade, and the Kansas Grain & Feed Association.

For information, contact:

Bill Spiegel, director of communications, bspiegel@kswheat.com

Nicole Stieben, communications assistant, nicolestieben@gmail.com

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This is Day 2 of the 2012 Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports, brought to you by the Kansas City Board of Trade, the Kansas Grain & Feed Association, the Kansas Wheat Commission and Kansas Association of Wheat Growers.

The 2012 wheat harvest is in full swing in Sumner County, which each year produces more wheat than any other county in Kansas.

Curt Guinn, manager at the Farmers Coop Grain Association in Wellington, says yields early on are excellent, ranging from 55 to 65 bushels per acre. Test weights vary from 58 to 63 pounds per bushel and will likely average the 60 pound per bushel benchmark. Protein is averaging 11 at the Wellington location. On Wednesday, the cooperative’s Rome location took in 45,000 bushels and its s Mayfield location took in 55,000 bushels.

Near Clearwater in Sumner County, Kansas Wheat Commissioner Scott Van Allen began harvesting Thursday morning. His first field of the variety Everest had 14% moisture and 62 pound test weight. Van Allen expected the field to yield upper 40s, despite not having been sprayed with fungicide this spring.

The Hardtner branch of the OK Coop in Barber County had taken in more than 33,000 bushels of wheat as of early Thursday afternoon. The crop is better than expected with test weights between 61 and 63 pounds per bushel and an average yield of 40 bushels per acre. Crop moisture ranges from 11 to 11.5, says the co-op’s Bev Barker.

In Harper County, about ten truckloads of wheat have been received at the Anthony Farmers Coop locations in both Anthony and Harper. Farmers are searching for dry fields, according to Harper site manager Keri Nusz, who expects harvest to be in full swing by the weekend.

Lacy Jones at the Farmers Co-op Co. in Coldwater says a few farmers have brought in loads, with moisture ranging from 11.5-18% moisture, and test weights between 55 and 61 pounds per bushel. Thanks to high wind and heat on Thursday, Jones expected harvest to get into high gear over Memorial Weekend.

At the Farmers Coop Elevator Co. in Pretty Prairie, Jessie Cable says a few Reno County farmers are finding dry fields. Three truckloads had been brought in as of Thursday afternoon; the harvest so far features 61 pound test weight and moisture ranging from 12.5 to 15. Several area farmers have tried test cutting but find the grain to be too wet to harvest.

The 2012 Harvest Salute to Producers is brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers and sponsors Kansas City Board of Trade, and the Kansas Grain & Feed Association.

For information, contact:

Bill Spiegel, director of communications, bspiegel@kswheat.com

Nicole Stieben, communications assistant, nicolestieben@gmail.com

Click here for an audio version.

Stay up-to-date on Twitter: #kswheatharvest12

This is Day 1 of the 2012 Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports, brought to you by the Kansas City Board of Trade, the Kansas Grain & Feed Association, the Kansas Wheat Commission and Kansas Association of Wheat Growers.

One of the earliest Kansas wheat harvests in history officially began May 22 near the town of Kiowa in Barber County, where the OK Coop took in 35 truckloads of wheat. Each year, Kiowa, is the starting point for the annual wheat harvest.

Brett Courson, assistant manager at the OK Coop there, says harvest gained momentum Wednesday, with 90-plus degree temperatures and strong south winds. Harvest activity in the area was widespread, with early yields ranging from 40 to 57 bushels per acre and test weight ranging from 56 to 62 pounds per bushel with a 61 pound average. Courson says a few weeks ago, farmers expected much larger yields, but heat, wind and a lack of late-season rain has taken the top off the yield.

Donnie Pound, manager of the Kanza Co-op location in Stafford says some fields hit hard by drought have been cut already. One patch harvested Tuesday yielded 29 bushels per acre, with 56.5 pound test weight. Farmers are still waiting for additional fields to dry down. Harvest will be in full swing this weekend, says Pound, who anticipates farmers have lost one-third of their wheat yield potential due to the recent heat and dryness.

In Cherokee County, a few loads of wheat have been taken into the Farmers Coop Assn. of Columbus, says Manager Machelle Shouse. Farmers there report yield averages of about 50 bushels per acre, with test weights about 59 pounds per bushel. Several farmers have brought in samples of wheat that are too wet; however, activity is expected to pick up Thursday.

At the Hackney location of Valley Co-op in Cowley County, just a few dry fields have been identified by farmers, although a great deal of test cutting is taking place. One small field has been harvested and achieved 62 pound test weight and a 57 bushel per acre yield. The wheat looks good, according to the elevator staff; harvest will begin in earnest by the weekend.

The 2012 Harvest Salute to Producers is brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers and sponsors Kansas City Board of Trade, and the Kansas Grain & Feed Association.

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This is Day 17 of the 2012 Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports, brought to you by the Kansas City Board of Trade, the Kansas Grain & Feed Association, the Kansas Wheat Commission and Kansas Association of Wheat Growers.

According to the weekly Crop Report issued by Kansas Ag Statistics Monday, the Kansas wheat harvest is about 80% complete. And with strong winds and high temperatures, farmers are making short work of the remaining Kansas crop.

St. Francis Mercantile Equity Exchange has taken in about 300,000 bushels so far, says Grain Manager Shirley Zweygardt. Test weights range from 60 to 65 pounds per bushel with yields above 50 bushels per acre and protein averaging 13. Zweygardt has been pleased with the harvest so far, as she expected to see more stressed wheat in the area.

With about 30% of the area’s wheat cut, harvest is in full swing in Sherman County, says Tamara Nagel, office manager at Kanorado Co-op. This year’s crop is looking to be better than expected with test weights averaging 60 pounds per bushel. Area farmers are rushing to get their crops cut while the weather is favorable, says Nagel.

The Logan County harvest is approaching the midway point, says Mindy Kirk, bookkeeper at the Winona Feed and Grain in Winona. The wheat crop in that area has been much better than expected, with yields ranging from 40 to 60 bushels per acre. Test weight averages 61 pounds and protein, 12.5.

Ken Jameson, grain merchandiser at the Garden City Co-op in Garden City says that with dryland wheat harvest winding down, this year’s harvest has been poor. Yields at the company’s 18 locations are averaging about 22 bushels per acre, with test weight at 61 pounds and protein averaging 12.5 at southern locations, and 12 at northern locations. The company hopes to take in 7 million bushels this year, well off its 10 million bushel average, but better than last year’s 4.3 million bushel crop. The harvest of irrigated wheat is just beginning. Irrigated wheat is just now beginning to be cut, which should improve yields.

The 2012 Harvest Report is brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers and sponsors Kansas City Board of Trade, and the Kansas Grain & Feed Association.

For information, contact:

Bill Spiegel, director of communications, bspiegel@kswheat.com

Nicole Stieben, communications assistant, nicolestieben@gmail.com