Kansas wheat harvest is moving ahead across the state, although weather continues to create challenges for many producers. 

 

According to the Kansas Wheat Commission, Sedgwick County farmer Martin Kerschen began harvest on Memorial Day and finished about a week ago. Kerschen says drought stress was the biggest issue this season, followed by rains that delayed cutting when the crop was ready.

 

In neighboring Harvey County, a farmer reported a 32-bushel-per-acre field of KS Providence wheat with test weights of 61 pounds and protein levels of 13.1 percent. Statewide, winter wheat is 79 percent colored and 30 percent mature, both well ahead of last year and the five-year average.

 

Southeast Kansas is among the furthest along in crop development. USDA data shows winter wheat in the southeast district is 81 percent colored and 26 percent mature. While the region trails south-central Kansas, where wheat is 91 percent colored and 63 percent mature, it remains ahead of several northern and eastern districts.

 

The latest USDA report shows winter wheat conditions remain challenging, with 55 percent rated poor to very poor statewide.