RICHMOND — The wheat harvest shifted into high gear in southern Franklin County and Anderson County this weekend. Ralph Ferguson, Beachner Grain, Richmond, said his elevator was dumping wheat until late last night. “We’ve had an awful good run Saturday and Sunday,” he said. It seemed like a lot of the area wheat got dry at about the same time, setting off the flurry of harvesting over the weekend, he said. Many farmers are reporting harvests of 50 to 60 bushels per acre, which for eastern Kansas, are good averages, he said. Test weights have averaged at about 61 pounds during the weekend, which is very good for eastern Kansas wheat, he said. There has been some evidence of damage to some wheat heads because of the recent late-spring frosts, said Rod Schaub, Frontier Extension District natural resources and agriculture agent. Farther west, there is more evidence of frost damage, he said. However, for the most part, it’s shaping to be a good year for the area wheat harvest, he said. In this area, the fall crops of soybeans, corn and sorghum are the most important cash grains. In the past, wheat has been used as a rotational crop but in recent years, the wheat crops have become more important and have provided useful summer income for area farmers.
Tuesday, June 24, 3 p.m.
