Winter wheat harvest in Kansas is virtually finished. Central Kansas harvested a good crop and the western third of the state was not as lucky. Overall, the quality was very good. Test weights and protein above average. For the first time in many years, no wheat was piled on the ground. It is obvious the bins were empty prior to harvest. Empty hopper cars were parked on the sidings since early March and were quickly loaded and moved out. For a brief moment, cash wheat hit $9. It has dropped more than a dollar since that time. A Coop elevator manager told me more than a third of this years harvest had been previously contracted for less than $6 per bushel. So much for the wheat story.....

Our corn needs rain. I know Kansas is not a huge corn state, but still counts a little bit. The crop is starting to tassel. We started out on the dry side this year, and the spring/early summer rains were limited. I'm sure my Illinois friend Bryan, would have shared some of his excess, had it been possible! Yields will be lower than last year [a good one] by at least one third.

One final note... If you rely on alfalfa hay from Kansas, you better get it bought. Dry weather has taken it's toll. I finished second cutting last week and will not have another one unless it rains and rains. Normally, we get four cuts on dry land fields. Not going to happen this year. Good quality alfalfa is as high as $175 stacked on the edge of the field.

The western third of Kansas is extremely dry. I hear the trees are chasing dogs out there. The Dodge City National Weather Service web home page has a link showing areas of SW Kansas with less than four inches of moisture since last October. Ouch!!

Tom Giessel
Larned, KS.