This is Day 16 of the 2013 Kansas Wheat Harvest Reports, brought to you by the Kansas City Board of Trade, the Kansas Grain & Feed Association, the Kansas Wheat Commission and Kansas Association of Wheat Growers.

Kansas wheat farmers are expected to harvest a total of 328 million bushels this year, based on conditions as of July 1, according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service. That is down 14% from the 382 million bushels harvested in 2012. The average yield is forecast at 40 bushels per acre, down two bushels from last year. About 8.2 million acres were harvested from 9.4 million acres planted last fall.  

Colby seed grower Herb Mattson says much of the dryland wheat from Thomas County north to the Nebraska border was destroyed due to drought, freeze and hail. The remaining crop ranged in yield from 5 to 30 bushels per acre, with good test weight and protein. Mattson has harvested irrigated wheat ranging from 65 to 75 bushels per acre. His best performing varieties included SY Wolf, WB Cedar and Tam 111. Harvest is about two-thirds complete in the area.

Isaac Marintzer, branch manager with the Decatur Coop Association locations in Herndon and Ludell, says rain storms the last few days have been a blessing, but far too late to help the wheat crop. Half the wheat was destroyed; the remainder is averaging 20 to 25 bushels per acre. Test weights average 60 pounds per bushel and protein is 14-15 on average. Marintzer says he hopes to take in 20% of a normal crop at the two locations. Harvest should wrap up early next week.

Susan Gilgenbach at Ag Valley Co-op in Norton says harvest would be finished by the weekend, but a small area around Norton received more than two inches of rain Wednesday night, temporarily halting harvest progress. The area wheat ranges from 5 to 40 bushels per acre, with 58 pound test weight and protein averaging better than 12.5. Gilgenbach says the elevator will take in about 50% of a normal crop.  

Deb Miller, general manager of the Stockton Farmer s Union Co-op, says the last load of wheat was brought in Thursday. Yields in the Stockton area ranged from 7 to 57 bushels per acre, with test weights ranging from 49 to 65 pounds per bushel and protein averaging 12. The 2013 crop will total about 75% of the co-op's 10 year average.  

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.