Janel: Drying days wanted

Pierre, South Dakota – We are slowly making progress. We have been here a couple of weeks now and for the most part have spent most of our time waiting on spring wheat to ripen. We have cut a few fields (some have been hailed on), and overall the wheat is yielding around 30 bushels per acre. The protein has been 17-20 percent, which is excellent. However, the wheat is light, weighing about 55 pounds or so. The wheat is standing good, and the conditions have been fair. What we really need are some good drying days, including lots of heat and wind. That would help our wheat harvesting progress a lot.

We have lots more spring wheat here to cut, and it looks like it will yield pretty well and more than what we’ve recently harvested. Hopefully, we’ll stay busy even though the 10-day forecast is cooler (70s and 80s) with some chances of scattered showers.

As of mid-July, it’s been reported that over 70 percent of South Dakota is in a drought. The corn is showing signs of drought and heat stress and is anywhere from a couple feet tall to 5-6 feet tall. For the most part, the soybeans are looking small, short and uneven. In this area, the rains we had recently have certainly helped and have made the row crops look better.

Schemper 2017 - South Dakota Wheat Harvest

Miss Moo dreaming away again in the combine seat. (Photo by Janel Schemper)

Schemper 2017 - South Dakota Wheat Harvest

I love this time of day. Evening shadows and then a sunset are always amazing! (Photo by Janel Schemper)

Schemper 2017 - South Dakota Wheat Harvest

I love beautiful days of cutting wheat in South Dakota. (Photo by Janel Schemper)

Schemper 2017 - South Dakota Wheat Harvest

Moo riding with me in the combine. She loves her job! (Photo by Janel Schemper)

Schemper 2017 - South Dakota Wheat Harvest

Schemper Harvesting cutting wheat in South Dakota. (Photo by Janel Schemper)

Schemper 2017 - South Dakota Wheat Harvest

Schemper Harvesting cutting wheat in South Dakota. (Photo by Janel Schemper)

Schemper 2017 - South Dakota Wheat Harvest

Schemper Harvesting cutting wheat in South Dakota. (Photo by Janel Schemper)

Schemper 2017 - South Dakota Wheat Harvest

I’m always thankful for beautiful harvest days. (Photo by Janel Schemper)

Schemper 2017 - South Dakota Wheat Harvest

Schemper Harvesting cutting wheat in South Dakota. (Photo by Janel Schemper)

Schemper 2017 - South Dakota Wheat Harvest

This (dryland) corn in South Dakota is about 5-foot-10 on July 28. (Photo by Janel Schemper)

Schemper 2017 - South Dakota Wheat Harvest

Schemper Harvesting cutting wheat in South Dakota. (Photo by Janel Schemper)

Schemper 2017 - South Dakota Wheat Harvest

Schemper Harvesting cutting wheat in South Dakota. (Photo by Janel Schemper)

Schemper 2017 - South Dakota Wheat Harvest

I’m always thankful for beautiful harvest days. (Photo by Janel Schemper)

Schemper 2017 - South Dakota Wheat Harvest

Schemper Harvesting cutting wheat in South Dakota. (Photo by Janel Schemper)

Schemper 2017 - South Dakota Wheat Harvest

Schemper Harvesting cutting wheat in South Dakota. (Photo by Janel Schemper)

Schemper 2017 - South Dakota Wheat Harvest

Schemper Harvesting cutting wheat in South Dakota. (Photo by Janel Schemper)

Schemper 2017 - South Dakota Wheat Harvest

Schemper Harvesting cutting wheat in South Dakota. (Photo by Janel Schemper)

Schemper 2017 - South Dakota Wheat Harvest

This is Lake Oahe. I’ve driven combines across that bridge many times and also hauled a combine or two over it. (Photo by Janel Schemper)


All Aboard Wheat Harvest™ is sponsored by High Plains Journal and John Deere. Janel Schemper can be reached at janel@allaboardharvest.com.

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