Strong thunderstorms producing heavy rain continue to slow the 2018 HRW wheat harvest, especially in eastern Colorado and northwest Kansas. Moving south to north, (Texas 87% complete and Oklahoma 99% complete), with mainly irrigated fields left to cut. Kansas 79% complete, with the northwest ¼ of the state being the only major area left to harvest, but continuing to be inundated with rain. Colorado 23% complete, mostly in the southeastern ¼ of the state with the northeast areas of the state dealing with the same rain events plaguing the Kansas harvest. Nebraska 11% complete (mainly southeast areas) and Oregon just beginning at 4% complete.
All states regardless of harvested percentage or rain continue to report good test weight and good protein in this crop. For the states of Texas, Oklahoma and (at least the southeastern ¾ of Kansas) the rain has come late enough the overall quality was not affected. Those that were able to get back in the field to start harvesting mid-week this week were reporting no major changes in test weight.
A total of 224 samples are now in the lab for evaluation and represent Texas, Oklahoma and the southeastern ¾ of Kansas. The majority of the 58 added samples this week came from northwest Texas, northwest Oklahoma and western/central Kansas. Overall test weight increased this week by 0.1 lb/bu (1.6 kg/hl), and remains a #1 Hard Red Winter, averaging 60.3 lb/bu (79.3 kg/hl). Average protein continues to be very good and (increased 0.1%) this week to 12.8% overall. Test weight and protein are expected to decrease slightly as harvest (and sampling) begin in areas where there was less stress through the growing season and excessive rain fell on a mature crop during the last two weeks. Falling number* below represents only the first 50 samples originating from Texas and Oklahoma.
| Tst | Exp | MST | Pro% | DKG | TKW | FN | Grade | Test | Weight | FM | DMG | S&B | DEF |
| 224 | 500 | 11.4 | 12.8 | 0.5 | 384* | 1HRW | 60.3 | 79.3 | 0.2 | 0.1 | 1.3 | 1.6 | |
| FINAL | 2017 | ||||||||||||
| 488 | Final | 10.6 | 11.4 | 0.6 | 31.8 | 367 | 1HRW | 60.8 | 80.0 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.9 | 1.1 |
Click link to download a PDF copy of the PGI HRW Harvest Summary July 6 2018