Deep, persistent drought has withered the wheat crop across much of Kansas and farmers are predicting the smallest harvest in more than 60 years. Western Kansas farmers have enjoyed some rain within the last few days, but months of drought stunted or killed much of the crop. Mike McClellan, who farms near Palco, northwest of Hays, says he may abandon all 1,500 acres of wheat he planted this year because it won’t be worth the cost of harvesting.
Kansas is traditionally a major exporter of wheat, but supplies of the commodity are so tight now that some Kansas flour mills will likely use wheat imported from Europe.
