By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
The Great Bend Co-op received their first load from this year’s wheat harvest Tuesday at the elevators in Ellinwood. Great Bend Co-op Chief Operations Officer Jeff Mauler said he expects numbers to steadily increase over the next few days.
The wheat received in the early going was most likely
more stressed, hindering the plant’s fullest potential. Based on preliminary
numbers, Mauler estimates the harvest will be average, to slightly below average.
"The quality of grain coming in right now is very good," said Mauler. "We're right around that 60 pounds per bushel to above test weight. The moisture has been anywhere from 9% to upwards of 12 or 13."
Mauler expects yields to be higher and better quality from the northern part of
Barton County as that area received more rain.
The next few weeks are one of the busiest times on the farm, and the Great
Bend Co-op encourages communities to be patient and cautious.
"These farmers are trying to get their crop in," said Mauler. "They get two chances, now and in the fall, to make a living. Be patient with our farmers because they're trying to do the best they can to get out of your way and not slow everyone down. They're trying to do it in safe, quick fashion."
The Great Bend Co-op operates 11 elevators in Albert, Boyd, Dundee, Great Bend,
Ellinwood, Pawnee Rock, Dorrance, Radium, Russell, Seward and Susank.