KANSAS CITY — Hot temperatures and winds continued to dry down wheat fields, allowing the Kansas harvest to advance after rain delays earlier in the week, Kansas Wheat said in its June 28 harvest report. Indications of higher-than-expected yields, though below average, along with higher proteins and good test weights were consistent with earlier harvest reports.

“Yields are better than expected, given the growing season, and we are seeing anywhere from 20 bus per acre up to 60 bus per acre,” said Dwight Elmore, location manager of Ellsworth Coop in Ellsworth county. Test weights have been averaging about 62 to 62.5 lbs per bu, with proteins around 12% to mid-13%, he said, adding that harvest was 85% to 90% completed in the area after being set back two to three days by rains.

“If we hadn’t gotten any rain, we would have been done sooner, but it was a nice tradeoff to have the rain to benefit the fall crops, with about an inch and a half of rain, and we’re grateful for that,” Mr. Elmore said.

Overall yields in the area were less than the five-year average, but proteins are higher, Mr. Elmore said. Dockage rates were higher than normal because kernels are smaller than normal, he said.

Gary Gantz, location manager of D.E. Bondurant Grain Co., in Ness county, said the first load of wheat came in June 17 and the harvest was about 50% completed in the area. Yields have ranged from 20 to 45 bus per acre. Test weights were between 61 and 63 lbs per bu but dropped to 58.5 to 60 lbs after the rain, he said. Wheat quality and test weights were better than the past four years, but yields were slightly below average. About 10% to 20% of the fields in Ness county were affected by hail.

“There has been very little disease pressure this year, whereas the past two to three years we have had some problems with wheat streak mosaic (virus) and wheat rust,” Mr. Gantz said. “But this year we didn’t have any sign of disease.”

Larry Glenn, location manager at Frontier Ag Inc., in Grove county, said harvest was just beginning in the area before the rain delays. He expects wheat quality will be good in the area, with higher protein and test weights but with below-average yields.

Taylor Myers, location manager of Frontier Ag Inc., in Trego County also said harvest was just beginning. Yields have been below average at 30 to 40 bus per acre, and test weights have been around 60 lbs per bu with moisture at 12% to 13%.

“Rain has definitely impacted us,” Mr. Myers said. “It looks like we’ll be having about an average year, where we have good quality wheat, but not as many bushels out there as people would like.”

Updates from the Kansas wheat harvest may be viewed via #wheatharvest18 on Twitter.