Grain quality continues to improve as harvest moves north

Harvest in southern areas of the High Plains is near completion, while central areas including Kansas, Colorado and Nebraska are in the middle of wheat harvest. As the excitement continues to move north yield averages and test weights increase due to the favorable weather received this spring.

Texas
The Plains received two inches of rainfall, while isolated showers brought up to five inches in some areas. The remaining areas of the state averaged .05 inches of moisture. The Texas wheat crop is 90 percent harvested and will be wrapped up within the next ten days. The majority of this year’s crop was poor to very poor. Texas received yields ranging from 3 to 25 bushels per acre.

Oklahoma
The state received a break from the triple digit temperatures. Temperatures averaged in the lower 80s across the state. Precipitation averaged below one inch statewide. Oklahoma’s wheat harvest season is 98 percent completed and should be wrapped up within the next week. Only 36 percent of the state’s crop was in fair to good condition. Oklahoma produced yields ranging from 15 to 30 bushels per acre.

Kansas
Western Kansas received light amounts of precipitation, while the central and eastern regions received heavier amounts. Sixty-three percent of the state’s crop is in good to excellent condition. Harvest is in full swing and is 83 percent completed. Yields have ranged from 25 to 70 across Kansas.

Colorado
Above average temperatures and an increase in precipitation have producers excited for favorable crop conditions this crop season. Almost 70 percent of the state’s crop is in good to excellent condition. The majority of the crop is turning color, while 35 percent is ripe. Ten percent has been harvested. Thus far, producers in eastern Colorado have received yields ranging from 25 to 60 bushels per acre. Currently, test weights are ranging from 61 to 64 pounds.

Nebraska
Wheat harvest is moving west and is over half complete in the southeast. Cooler temperatures across the state have encouraged crop maturity. Ninety-three percent of the state’s wheat crop is turning color, while 35 has ripened. Over 10 percent of the wheat crop is harvested. Wheat growers in the south central and southeast regions have received yields ranging from 45 to 80 bushels per acre. Yield potential in the southwest and western regions of the state are expected to range anywhere from 30 to 75 bushels per acre.

South Dakota
The state received less than 0.5 inches of precipitation last week. Cooler temperatures advanced crop development. Over 85 percent of the state’s wheat crop is in good to excellent condition. Seventy-three percent of winter wheat is turning color, while spring wheat is only 5 percent turning color.

For more information e-mail crew@allaboardharvest.com. All Aboard 2009 Wheat harvest is sponsored by High Plains Journal and DuPont Crop Protection.

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