Heavy May rain and flooding delaying Kansas wheat harvest

[left-of-center2012]

This spring’s heavy rain and flooding has sharply delayed Kansas’ wheat harvest, which is usually in full swing by mid-June.

The wheat harvest generally starts between early and mid-June and wraps up by mid-July. But the Kansas Wheat Commission says only 1% of the state’s wheat crop had been harvested as of Sunday. Typically, about 12% of the crop is harvested by that point, and last year 20% had been harvested by mid-June, The Wichita Eagle reported .

The state received 10.26 inches of rain in May, which was more than double the 30-year average of 4.12 inches. It was the wettest May ever recorded in Kansas. Also, the U.S. Department of Agriculture says only 21 percent of Kansas’ wheat crop is mature, compared with almost 60 percent at this time last year.

The wet fields make it difficult and unwise to harvest, said Jeff Seiler, agriculture and natural resources extension agent for Sedgwick County. He said taking heavy machinery into wet fields could hurt future harvests. Soybean farmers in Kansas harvested last year’s crop in damp fields, which caused deeper ruts in the soil and could affect the growth of this year’s crop, he said.

Scott Van Allen, a wheat farmer near Clearwater, said he would be finished harvesting his crop in a typical year but he hadn’t even started as of this week. He said he’s hoping for several consecutive days of windy, warm weather to dry up the fields.

“A day or two of dry weather doesn’t help us much,” Van Allen said. “That still leaves a lot of harvest left to finish.”

https://www.apnews.com/2a4db03afc144114a0f8f9e1df18831f

[MuseRider]

1. This last week has been hell.

We have gotten over 3 inches in the last 3 days, our river is going to flood when it crests and we are expecting much more today. Not much is growing around here for the corn and soybean crops, wheat is not seen but I have not been way out looking. As for the grass farmers like me, it is wonderful. It stayed cool enough and wet enough for my cool season brome to flourish. Last year was a disaster and unless it burns up with the high temps like we had last year it should be a bumper crop making up for last year in expenses.

SO, the food most of you eat will be fed at least good grass this year but the rest of it sounds very iffy from Kansas anyway.

[Farmer-Rick]

2. Yeah, here in east TN we're getting a ton of rain

When we shouldn't be. But I'm prepared for it. My slope planting keeps my plants from flooding. And My pastures have never been so lush.

[MuseRider]

3. I was going to plant the slope

but can't get it done until we have at least a few days without rain and I have the time then! It is humid as heck, hard to breathe sometimes but I would take this 1000 times over the last few years of dry air and drought. I would probably not say that if I had soybeans or wheat to plant.

Lush pastures are one of the most lovely things in my life. I might actually be able to feed my own AND make a little money this year!