Combines are running from Norton to Marshall counties along the Nebraska border, as the 2013 harvest gets into the second big week of harvesting.

Midland Marketing in Hays believed that many farmers in this area are finishing their harvest. They thought that 80% of the wheat adjacent to town was cut and yields were varied from 5 -50 bushels an acre with an average of 25 -30.

The staff at Golden Belt in Ellis also believe harvest was past the half way point and the most recent yields averaged 25 bushels an acre.

At Cargill in Trego County, Caleb told Hays Post, “I don’t think harvest is at the half way. There is a lot more to come in from the north and northwest area of the county. We have taken in approximately 300,000 bushels in the WaKeeny elevator so far.”

Ag Valley Co-op in Norton has seen scattered activity in the last few days, with just a few thousand bushels of wheat taken in. The crop so far has 55-56 pound test weights, but it is too early for yield and protein information. Many fields still have green cast to them, but harvest should get into full swing by early next week.

Travis Mason, manager of the Southeast Nebraska Co-op location in Herkimer, says farmers are bringing in wheat in northern Marshall County. Test weights are 60 pounds or higher, and yields are in excess of 60 bushels per acre. No protein values have been received yet.

Highway 14 seems to be a dividing line for good yields and quality, according to Jeff Bechard, president of AgMark, LLC in Beloit. The company markets grain for 20 elevators from Cawker City east to Leonardville, and Westfall north to Jewell. Wednesday was the first day that the entire area had good harvest conditions. Yields range mostly from 35 to 65 bushels per acre, with the better wheat in the eastern side of Hwy. 14; protein ranges from 9 to 11 east of Hwy. 14 and 11 to 14 west of Hwy. 14. About 25% of the crop is harvested in AgMark’s trade area, and Bechard expects this crop to be above average in terms of total bushels received.

Duane Reif, manager at the United Ag Service location in Hoisington, says the area harvest is about 50% complete. Test weights at the Hoisington location range from 56 to 62 pounds per bushel, protein from 13 to 16 and yields range from 20 to 50 bushels per acre. At the company’s Stickney location just 10 miles north, test weights average above 60 pounds per bushel and yields range from 40 to 60 bushels per acre.

Doug Johnson, manager of the Scott Cooperative location in Marienthal, says harvest just got started on Monday. At 60 pounds per bushel on average, test weight is a bit better than he expected, but yields are poor, ranging from 15 to 20 bushels per acre. In isolated cases where showers fell last fall, some farmers report 30 bushel per acre yields. However, much of the area’s crop has been destroyed. Johnson says early protein tests show 11.7 protein, but will probably improve as harvest continues. This location will take in about 35% of an average crop.

The 2013 Harvest Report is brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers and sponsors Kansas City Board of Trade, and the Kansas Grain & Feed Association.