Taking stock of 2018 wheat, pea harvests

Completion of the wheat and pea harvests in this area provides a clearer look at how this year’s crops performed.
    On the wheat side of things, dryland yields ran in the 50-60 bushel per acre range in the Chase/Dundy/Perkins area, according to growers and elevator operators.
    While the yields weren’t the bin busters farmers had experienced over the last several years, the quality of this year’s crop offset that difference.
    Protein levels ranged from 12-15 percent, which was a vast improvement over the last several years with protein content in the 8-10 percent range.
    Higher protein improves the milling and baking qualities of the wheat.
    Test weights ran from 62-65 lbs. per bushel on average.
    Yields on irrigated wheat were off from previous years but like its dryland counterpart, the quality was very good.
    Statewide, winter wheat production is expected to be up 2 percent from last year, according to the USDA’s National Ag Statistics Service.
    Oat production across the state was up 50 percent over last year.
    Seed producer Tom Luhrs said he experienced good yields and condition on his oat acres this year.
Pea yields good

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