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Day 12, Final Kansas Wheat Harvest Report

By
Guest Columnist
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Kansas Wheat

Contact: Marsha Boswell, [email protected]

For audio version, visit kswheat.com.

 

This is day 12 and the final day of the Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports, brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Cooperative Council.

 

The Kansas wheat harvest is 93 percent complete, near 96 percent complete last year, but ahead of 88 percent average, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service crop progress report for the week ending July 13, 2025.

 

Overall yields for the 2025 crop ranged from slightly below average to excellent, depending on region and weather impacts. While many areas reported strong test weights and good protein levels, rain during harvest lowered grain quality in some locations, leading to yield losses and occasional field abandonment.

 

Erik Lange, Executive Vice President / Chief Operations Officer for MKC and Interim General Manager for Producer Ag, LLC — a grain marketing joint venture between Mid-Kansas Cooperative (MKC) and CHS Inc. — broke down this year’s wheat harvest for their 55 locations in 8 regions across the state of Kansas.

 

“We’ve been two days from done for the past 20 days,” said Lange, adding that the rain is welcome, but the timing has affected wheat quality and efforts to take harvest in. “Overall, it has been a good harvest, meeting or exceeding expectations from a yield standpoint.”

 

In the CHS southern plains region of Greeley, Wallace, Logan and Wichita counties, this year’s wheat quality is good, with test weights averaging over 60 pounds per bushel. Protein is averaging 11.75%, and yields are average to above average, with some pockets a little lower due to drought and stand issues at seeding.

 

In Seward and Meade counties, test weights are averaging 60.5 pounds per bushel. Protein is averaging 11%, and yields were excellent, above average except for some isolated areas with early season drought and stand issues.

 

In south central Kansas, Sumner, Harper and Cowley counties, test weights have dropped after rains on the ripe wheat, but the region is averaging 58 pounds per bushel. Protein is averaging 11%, and yields are varied by location — average to slightly below average overall. There was some spots with wheat streak mosaic and related viruses that caused yield and quality loss. Early season drought and stand issues also affected yields. Locations are still taking grain in south central and central Kansas and hope to be finished by mid-week.

 

In Reno, Harvey, Butler, Sedgwick and southern Marion counties, test weights have been affected by the rains, ending with an average of 57.5 pounds per bushel. Protein averaged 10.9%. This region — especially the northern parts — was above average, with great yields, good stands and good grain fill conditions.

 

In McPherson, Rice and northern Marion counties, there were some exceptional yields, due to good grain fill conditions and the cool, wet spring. Test weights average 57.7 pounds and protein is 12%. However, due to rains during harvest, there are some fields in McPherson and Sumner counties that will be abandoned and not harvested.

 

Yields have been good to excellent in the Dickinson/Clay county region, however, there was some WSMV in the southern part of the area that caused up to 30 to 40 percent yield loss. Test weights averaged 58 ½ – 59 pounds and protein was 11.5%.

 

In northeast Kansas, yields were excellent in northern Pottawatomie County and good in Riley and Wabaunsee counties, but only a small fraction of wheat is grown in this area. Test weights averaged 57.5 to 58 after rain on mature wheat, and they don’t test protein in this region.

 

In the Mid-West Fertilizer region of Labette and Neosho counties, both hard and soft wheat yields were average to below average and quality suffered from rain during harvest, with some wheat laying down. Test weights have been challenged by the rain on mature wheat, and there is some abandonment.

 

The 2025 Harvest Report is brought to you by the Kansas Wheat Commission, Kansas Association of Wheat Growers, Kansas Grain and Feed Association and the Kansas Cooperative Council.

 

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Fresh Fruit Salsa

By
Debbie Dance Uhrig
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Every time I have this big list of what I’m going to get accomplished over the weekend, something pops into play .Bumping my well-slayed attack plan down the tubes. Friday I walked into Walmart and there were 3 roasted chickens for around $2.00, yes, that’s what I said two dollars! Shift gears, make time to pick hens, bundle and freeze. Then; prepare bone broth allowing time to get it bagged before going to bed.

Next; I’m reading our local marketplace and a family has sugar and cream corn for sale. I don’t usually put up corn, but I ordered a few dozen, and I’m going to blanch, ice water chill, cut and freeze a few containers. I haven’t done that in ages. I was going to Galena on business Monday morning anyway, might as well grab the corn on the way! Anyone remember the waxy white containers that reminded you of a cream container, which we used to freeze corn? I need to check with my daughter-in-law to be, she may want her corn frozen in jars instead of plastic.

I was doing miscellaneous things at the computer and saw my super simple recipe for fruit salsa. Decided to run it because the weather for this coming week is going upward, and we might need some crisp foods to help cool us out. Other refreshing foods might be pasta salads, spinach salads, tuna, beef or chicken salads. This is also a great time to use pre-frozen foods that you have prepared in advance.

Originally, the fruit salsa was served over a breast of chicken, cooked on the grill, with a side of rice. I enjoyed the fruit salsa so much that I served it solo with tortilla chips. For a healthier/lighter approach I would make the chips by baking shells myself. If there’s a chance the red onion could over power too much and you’re afraid some people won’t be able to eat the fresh onion, (like me), do some prepping the night before. Prepare the red onion the night before and soak it in the refrigerator in a bowl of ice water with just a hint of vinegar. (Rinse well and pat dry.) This will pull out the bite, and those, like myself, just may be able to eat the onion too! This my friends, is the sign of a good host. Not to be patting myself on the back, not meant that way. But a good hostess thinks ahead to the needs of every guest. There are

many foods which cause reactions, and let’s face it, onions can do that, so can peppers, spices, you get the idea.

Chop your fruit for the salsa much smaller than you might if you were preparing this to go over grilled chicken. When eating salsa you will need the small pieces for scooping, with the entree format you need to be able to poke the fruit with a fork.

Our nephew is headed our way next week as the temperatures make their climb. Looks like we will plan early morning and evening events. I don’t tolerate the higher temps very well. One more little tip before I set the salsa in place. This past Friday we had hamburgers we cooked on Monday. We re-heated them in the steamer, they were so delicious, I wouldn’t have been embarrassed to serve them to guests.

Take time to listen this week. Be silent and soak in what surrounds you instead. Simply yours, The Covered Dish.

Fruit Salsa

Soy sauce

Red Onion, chopped

Kiwi, strawberry, mango, papaya, pineapple or banana sliced or chunked

Seasoning Salt

Pepper

Cilantro

Prepare fresh fruits in chunks and slices. Sprinkle lightly with a seasoning salt or even omit. Chop red onion into small pieces and mix into the fruits. Add as much cilantro as you desire along with fresh ground pepper. Shake in a few shots of soy sauce perhaps using the lower sodium options. Serve with homemade chips made from pita or soft burrito shells. Fresh ginger might also be an option for the fruit.

In the original recipe this is served with chicken that has been marinated in soy sauce and crushed pineapple. It’s cooked on the grill and then everything is served with a side of rice.

What to do when the Dogs of Summer Howl

By
Steve Gilliland
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The only reason I put up with summer in Kansas is… well, because I have to! My only alternatives are to move or die. The first takes too much energy, and the second, well, let’s just say I’ll put up with summer! (Although as I get older door number 2 looks less ominous all the time) The term “Dog Days of Summer” has always intrigued me. This term was long ago given to the hottest and muggiest part of the summer, which someone has determined to be between July 3 and August 11. So here is a little trivia on the “The Dog Days of summer.”

 

Stars and constellations played a big part in the lives of the ancients. Two such constellations, Canis Major and Canis Minor, were said to resemble dogs. The brightest star in Canis Major is named Sirius, “the dog star,” and also happens to be the brightest star in the night sky. It is in fact so bright, that ancient Romans believed the earth received heat from it. During our summer, there is a period when Sirius rises and sets with the sun, and it was believed that during this period, the Dog Star actually added its heat to the sun, creating a period of extra hot and muggy weather now known as “the dog days.”

 

So, what can we “dog days haters,” who think it’s even too hot to fish, do to scratch our “outdoor sportsman’s itch” during this time? Frog season started here in KS July 1st and is a great nighttime sport. We hunted frogs a lot when I was a kid and thought nothing of walking a couple hundred yards across someone’s pasture in the middle of the night just to get to a pond full of frogs. Now days it’s not quite so much fun sloggin’ around a pond in pitch black darkness in soaking wet jeans and old sneakers, but the sweet taste of fried frog legs is still the same!

 

Now’s also a fine time to browse the Cabela’s and Bass Pro catalogs to get a jump on your fall hunting wish list. This begins by going over your equipment and clothing, looking for equipment needing repaired or replaced. You know how clothing seems to “shrink” a little each season! Also order that new equipment you want to experiment with this year. Mail ordered merchandise can take considerable time to receive, and ordering early also gives you time to make returns and exchanges if needed. So, carry the catalogs from the bathroom to the easy chair and get started!

 

I guess when it’s 105 degrees in the shade, it’s hard to think about deer hunting, but the dog days are also a good time to begin garnering hunting and trapping permission. Unless you already have a standing agreement in place with landlords, hunting and trapping permission is often first come-first served. This can be done over the phone, but I prefer a more personal touch and like to drive to the owner’s home and talk to them in person. Remember, the early bird gets the worm (or the pheasant, the deer or

the coyote.) Also, this is a great time to start gathering unwanted apples from under people’s trees to feed to the deer.

 

Now is also a great time to brush up on your hunting and trapping skills or learn new ones by reading “how to” books and magazine articles. Think back about the things that didn’t go as planned last season and search out the resources to correct them, be that books, magazine articles, tapes & DVD’s or fellow sportsmen.

 

So, pour a glass of iced tea, settle into your recliner, surround yourself with all your wish books, magazines, DVD’s and the TV remote, and for these next few “dog-day” weeks, continue to Explore Kansas Outdoors, even if it’s from your living room!

 

Steve can be contacted by email at [email protected].

A Nation Of Pansies

By
Lee Pitts
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lee pitts

I’ve been self-employed my entire working life and in my eight businesses I looked upon everyone as a competitor. If I didn’t feel confident I could outsmart and outwork my competition I didn’t enter that business. I didn’t enter any business that depended on luck (gambling) or that was based on connections (politics). I didn’t enter any business that required huge assets to begin with, that required borrowing money or was prone to overregulation by the government. For example, I’d never partner with The Bureau of Land Management.

A good example of how the government can put you out of business overnight is the proposed legislation that was recently unmasked by the always-interesting New Mexico Stockman. It seems the New Mexico Environment Department is attempting to adopt a new set of rules aimed at preventing heat related illness and injuries in the work place to take effect in July 2025. The proposed rules would require employers to implement workplace safeguards when the heat index exceeds 80 degrees Fahrenheit. (The heat index uses air temperature and humidity to arrive at what the temperature feels like to the human body.)

Here are just a few examples of the idiocy.

• “In ‘high heat’ workers doing heavy labor in full sun may require 40 minute rest breaks after every 20 minutes of work.”

That means in a standard eight hour day there would be 160 minutes of work done. That’s not even two hours! Keep in mind these rules were dreamed up by bureaucrats who are used to doing less than two hours work per day in some air conditioned office!

• Another proposed ridiculous regulation says that at least one quart of water must be provided per hour and that hydration breaks be encouraged every 15 minutes.

I guarantee if you’re drinking that much water you’re also gonna need several bathroom breaks which further lessens the amount of work that gets done.

• The new rules recognizes the heat index and sun exposure as risk factors. “Direct sunlight can raise the experienced heat index by up to 13% and protections are needed when workers wear protective gear that retains
heat.”

I think we’ve already figured out for ourselves without some nitwit at a desk telling us that you don’t wear long underwear when it’s 85 degrees outside.

• The new proposed regs say that cooling areas with shade or mechanical ventilation should be located close to workplace.

Does this mean that a truck has to pull a trailer with a roof on it behind every cowboy on the ranch so he can shade up in a cooling area? Trust me, cowboys figured out a long time ago that trees provide excellent shade and, lacking that, horses can also provide shade during the 160 minutes the cowboy will be allowed to work when it gets above 80 degrees. Which is pretty much every day of the year from June through September in most parts of cow country.

• Under the proposed N.M. regulations monitoring systems such as buddy checks, self-assessments or pre-shift safety briefings will be required.

We all know how much bureaucrats love meetings but cowboys and farm workers, not so much. Whoever wrote these rules has never met a cowboy They already do self-assessments such as “It’s hotter that a two dollar cookstove” or, “We’ll have to feed hens ice chips today to keep from laying hard boiled eggs.”

• The proposed rules call for acclimation plans for new and returning workers and their workload should gradually be increased over several days.

Does this means the 160 minute a day worker might start out at 60 minutes A DAY and gradually work up to 160? If these proposed rules and regulations are implemented every farmer and rancher in New Mexico will go out of business.

I don’t know about you but I got hotter than ten acres of chili peppers reading these proposed rules and regulations. What are the bureaucrats and politicians trying to do, create a nation of pansies who are just like them?

Believe me, America works when Americans work!

Insight: Driving for the future

By
Guest Columnist
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Glenn Brunkow,
Pottawatomie County farmer and rancher

I love a good road trip, especially one around Kansas. That is why I am so excited about the listening tour Kansas Farm Bureau (KFB) President Joe Newland and I will be embarking on July 21-23 and 30-31. Tour stops are listed at www.kfb.org, and you can register there also. Joe and I along with district directors will be at every stop.
This is truly a listening tour, and we want to hear what is on your mind. Your board of directors has spent the last year going over the organization’s strategic plan and we would like to present it to all our members for their input also.
This is also a time when we would like to hear your ideas of what Kansas Farm Bureau should look like in the future. Let’s talk about things that are going well and other places where we can make improvements. Where are some areas that we can grow and maybe some innovative ideas that we need to try.
The bottom line is that we want to hear from you. The grassroots nature of Kansas Farm Bureau is why we have been so successful for more than 100years. Our organization is driven by you, the members, and that is why this listening tour is so important.
I know the dates and locations may not work for everyone. Believe me, we tried to make it as convenient as possible for everyone. We also know calendars are jam packed, so we did the best we could to accommodate as many as possible.
I know I speak for Joe and your district director when I say we want to hear from you. If you cannot attend, please reach out to us and tell us what you think. Our emails and phone numbers are easy to find, and if you need some help reach out to your count coordinator. We really do want to hear from all of you.
I know you are busy but if we could get a couple of hours of your time, the discussion about the future of Kansas Farm Bureau will be even better with more voices. Please go on the Kansas Farm Bureau website and click through the links to register. Supper will be provided.
I am looking forward to going all around the state, but I am even more excited to have a discussion about our strategic plan and the future of Kansas Farm Bureau. I am proud of our organization, and I think we can make it even better in the years to come.
Find the site closest to you, or, if you want a road trip of your own, sign up for the location of your choice. The last one is at the Dodge City Roundup if you are a rodeo fan. I cannot wait to see you and hear your ideas.
“Insight” is a weekly column published by Kansas Farm Bureau, the state’s largest farm organization whose mission is to strengthen agriculture and the lives of Kansans through advocacy, education and service.

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