Warm windy conditions will be ripening the Kansas wheat crop rapidly during the upcoming week.

A Kansas wheat crop that had been delayed in maturity due a persistent winter season is expected to ripen this week as temperatures reach triple digits and wind gust at 30 to 40 miles per hour.

Ellis County Extension agent Stacey Campbell stated, “farmers operating in sandy conditions in the southern portions of Ellis County will be ahead of the curve.” The first loads could start to roll to the scales towards the latter half of next week.

Campbell believes Harvest would be in full swing for the remaining growers in Ellis County June 24th.

On average, Kansas produces more wheat than any other state. In a normal year, Kansas farmers produce about 400 million bushels of wheat a year, with a production value that hovers around $1 billion.