Kansas farmers optimistic for this year’s harvest

WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – Wheat farmers are feeling optimistic after seeing more rain and snow this fall and winter. Steady precipitation since November is making for consistent growth.

The United States Department of Agriculture reports 85% of the wheat crop is in fair, good or excellent condition.

Farmer Justin Noland said his winter wheat crop looks really good this year and he’s hopeful yields will be strong.

The fields have been getting consistent moisture since early November.

The snow and rain through fall and winter are exactly what his crops need, he said.

Other farmers nearby are also seeing healthy wheat crops.

“I would say the conditions are better this year than they have been on the last couple just from a moisture perspective,” Noland said. “We’ve got a lot more moisture to work with.”

But according to Noland, things could still take a turn for the worse. The growing season for wheat is far from over. For now, he says the wheat crop doesn’t need much water. In May, it’ll need an uptick in rain to finish growing.

Then in June, the hope is to see dry weather so the wheat can dry out for harvest, Noland said.

This year more than usual, according to Noland, he and other farmers are hoping for a high yield.

“The wheat prices were going down, have been pretty much all winter, so that’s gonna make for some challenging break-evens,” Noland said.

Not only have wheat prices been going down all winter, but the price of fertilizer was up during planting season in the fall, according to Noland. Because of that, farmers had to spend more money up front to actually plant their crops.

Noland said he’s hoping he’s able to harvest more wheat this year to make up for the money he spent in the fall and the steady decline in wheat prices.