20 to 40 bushel yields reported; protein content up slightly

By ROWENA PLETT

Staff writer

Farmers were just getting started with wheat harvest last weekend when a Saturday night rain put a stop to it.

But they aren’t complaining. The rain was great for corn and beans, which have been thriving in moderate spring temperatures.

Cooperative Grain and Supply elevator managers at Marion and Hillsboro test protein content of the wheat as it is brought in. It is a little higher than usual this year and can bring a premium price at mills.

According to John Ottensmeier at Marion, protein content has been ranging from 12% to 13% compared to a normal average of 10% to 11%.

That probably is not enough, however, to offset the cost of driving a long distance to deliver grain for a slightly higher price, he said.

A Hillsboro farmer brought his first load of wheat. After looking over his ticket, he said the test weight was light and moisture was above 14% so he probably would wait a day or two before getting back to combining.

Temperatures in the 90s all week should put harvest in full swing in a few days.

Yields reportedly have been averaging between 20 and 40 bushels per acre. For some, it was better than expected.