Area Farmers See Varying Yields as Small Grain Harvest Nears End

 

 

 

Area Farmers See Varying Yields as Small Grain Harvest Nears End 

Farmers in the Milbank area saw their small grain yields drop from last year, while farmers around Revillo saw excellent yields. In addition, the quality of the harvest has been excellent overall. Farmers are hoping the area will receive a substantial rainfall to help the row crops flourish as well.
Joel Foster of the Farm Services Agency in Milbank reports that area farmers are about 60 percent done harvesting their small grains. “At one time, I thought it was at 75 percent, but when I drove around and looked at fields, I don’t think it’s that high yet,” said Foster.
Foster talked with some of the area farmers, who told him the wheat yields had been down, but the protein levels were excellent. “There aren’t too many who plant small grains, but they did say their yields were disappointing, and it looked better than it was,” added Foster.
Foster also noted that the row crops in the Milbank area look very good. “It’s all going to depend on the rain and moisture from here on out,” said Foster. “We were really dry this year, but we have gotten some rain lately, which has helped. We are going to need more.”
The first part of the year was quite dry, but recent rainfall began to bring yields back up with the extra soil moisture. Going into July 1, Foster reported the Milbank area was at 52 percent soil moisture. According to an updated spreadsheet, the soil moisture was at 43.7 percent in May, 53.12 percent in June, and the latest for July shows 67.81 percent.
According to Joe Meyer, location manager at Westcon, farmers are around 50 percent done with wheat harvest in the Twin Brooks area. “The quality has been excellent. The weather has cooperated pretty well for harvest, knock on wood,” said Meyer. “Last year, we had some quality issues, and this year it doesn’t appear like we will have as many.”
The outlook on row crops varies, just as it did last year, Meyer stated. “They are looking a bit spotty. There are some good areas, and some where they were dry. The rain did not hit everyone evenly out this way, so some yields will be down, and others will have a great crop.”
Meyer reports that wheat harvest yields have been good, just not excellent. He saw anywhere from 35 to 60 bushels per acre, which is slightly below the average. “The heat and wind got to us around heading time, so it took the top end of the yield off,” added Meyer. “Forty-five to 50 bushels of wheat per acre would be an average for the area.”
Byron Ruhr, manager at Revillo Farmers Elevator, estimates farmers in his area are about 75 to 80 percent done harvesting small grain. “The yields vary a fair amount, but they have been average yields,” said Ruhr. “They have been anywhere from 50 to 70 bushels per acre for wheat.”
Ruhr also reports that the quality of the harvest has been good up to this point. “The row crops are also looking great in our area,” added Ruhr.
Jerry Settje, manager at Corona Grain and Feed, stated that small grain harvest is completely finished in the Corona area. He reported that yields were around 45 to 55 bushels per acre.
Settje noted that the small grains had good test weight, and the quality was great overall. “The row crops are looking very good, but we do need rain to help them along the way.”
–Logan Karels

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Grant County Review

Grant County Review
P.O. Box 390
Milbank, SD 57252
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