(AP) — Nearly half of the Kansas wheat harvest is done, and while the grain industry has been disappointed by the crop’s size in southern counties, yields and test weights have been much better further north.
Crops in southern Kansas — particularly in major wheat-growing areas such as Cowley, Sumner, Harper and Barber counties — were hurt by a spring freeze, heavy rain in several areas, too little rain in others and some diseases, said Jim Shroyer, Kansas State University Extension wheat specialist.
Damage from a freeze in early spring “is showing a little more widespread than we thought, and I think it is making an impact down in those three to four counties along the Oklahoma border,” Shroyer said. “But they had other issues, too. We can’t blame it all on the freeze. I think the freeze may be getting a little more credit than it deserves.”
Yields in that area also have been hurt by excessive rain and barley yellow dwarf virus disease, he said.
Southeast Kansas had too much rain, and crops there are showing some scab issues. Crops in south-central Kansas vary widely, with wheat planted early and late not faring well. Yields were disappointing in southwest Kansas, which was too dry and had lots of hail, Shroyer said.
“As we move north and harvest gets into northwest Kansas I think we will see some pretty darn good yields for that part of the state,” Shroyer said. “So I think our yields are improving the further north you go.”
