Wheat Harvest Disappointing in Western Kansas

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) – Industry leaders say the winter wheat harvest in western Kansas has been disappointing so far because of dry conditions.

The assessment comes in the latest harvest update from the Kansas City Board of Trade in cooperation with state wheat groups.

Kansas Wheat Commissioner Ron Suppes says yields in the first two days of harvest in the Dighton area have been just 10 to 12 bushels per acre, although test weights are good at about 61 pounds per bushel.

Gary Millershaski of Lakin is vice president of the Kansas Association of Wheat Growers. He describes the harvest in Kearny County as dismal.

Millershaski said he spent his first days of harvest cutting wheat that died prematurely, and he expects yields of 15 to 25 bushels per acre. The area’s better wheat is still green.