As expected, yields were down significantly for wheat farmers in the region, however, there were some positives.
According to area co-ops, protein contents were higher than some high-yield years and test weights were better than anticipated.
Still, drought drastically decimated the bushels per acre wheat farmers were able to harvest from their fields this year.
“Way, way low,” Nick Bowman, the branch manager for Valley Co-op in Atlanta told Cowley Post Wednesday morning. “We’re pretty much done, and we’re probably going to take in 30 percent of what we normally take in.”
Bowman said yields for Atlanta wheat farmers were at best 20 to 30 bushels per acre.
“A good year we see 35 to 40 and an exceptionally good year we see 50 to 60,” Bowman said.
For the Atlanta area, Bowman said protein content registered around 14 to 16 percent.
“A normal year, that’s lower,” he said. “But the drought kind of brings up the protein a little bit.”
When it comes to test weights, Bowman said Atlanta saw several bushels that tested at 61 pounds.
“That was real good for this year,” he said.
Similar numbers were reported from the Hackney branch at Strother Field Wednesday morning, although yields were lower at just eight to 20 bushels per acre.
Hackney is also expecting far less grain in the bin than usual — roughly a quarter of the 250,000-bushel take an average wheat harvest brings.
Bowman said wheat farmers have kept their spirits up despite the low yields and are focusing their attention — and optimism — on the fall harvest.
“(The wheat harvest) is about where we expected it to be — some late rain saved us from it being worse,” he said. “Most of the double-cropping is done now and they’re pumped up for the fall harvest. Right now it looks really good if we keep getting rain.”
Lane Klepper of Producer Ag said harvest in Sumner County is 75 to 80 percent complete.
Klepper also reported high protein percentages, test weights above 60 pounds and yields ranging anywhere from 20 to 50 bushels per acre.
“We expected two-thirds of a normal harvest,” he said. “It’s been slightly better than expected.”
