By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
Last year was a topsy-turvy one for Kansas wheat farmers. In May, the United States Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service anticipated the lowest yields since 1966. Summer rains helped boost production but also bogged down many farmers. Dr. Romulo Lollato, associate professor of agronomy at Kansas State University, presented at an event hosted by American Plains Co-op in Great Bend Thursday. He's optimistic about this year's crop.
"We had some timely rains during planting that led to good emergence," he said. "We didn't have any cold spells that were unexpected. In other words, we had time for the crops to vernalize and start getting cold-acclimated. And there was a blanket of snow on top whenever temperatures got really cold. Overall, we're much more positive this year than we've been in probably three years or so."
Lollato said some dry pockets remain north of Great Bend and around Hays but conditions are much better than last year. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, most of Barton County and all of Pawnee and Rush counties are now listed at only moderate drought.
"Hopefully, that holds up," Lollato said. "Of course, that depends a lot on spring weather, whether it's going to be cool and moist through late May that makes a bumper crop, or whether it turns out hot and dry in early May. That really complicates things later on. But at this moment in time, I think we have an overall positive outlook."
Lollato's talk in Great Bend Thursday included nitrogen and sulfur fertilizing options. He said the Clean Air Act passed decades ago has reduced the amount of acidic rain, resulting in some sulfur deficiencies in sandier soils between Great Bend and Pratt.