Wheat harvest rolls across Kansas as most sunflowers, sorghum and soybeans are already in the ground

Ryan and Eric Jacques can just about see the end of this year's harvest. The two brothers worked their Pretty Prairie and South Hutchinson wheat fields - driving combines simultaneously across the same fields.

The Jacques brothers, who farm in Reno County, are at about 90% complete. The average coloring statewide is at 98%, according to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service. As of June 27, more than 80% of the state's winter wheat was mature, with only 41% of the wheat harvested. This is behind the 44% harvested last year and the 48% five-year average.

Central and southcentral Kansas are ahead of some other parts of the state, with a majority of fields being almost complete. According to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service, the winter wheat condition is rated 3% very poor, 10% poor, 25% fair, 50% good and 12% excellent.

Along with good test weights, the Jacques brothers said their yields were good.

"We're having a good harvest," said Ryan Jacques. "We've had good weather."

Farmers in Brown, Marshall, Nemaha, Pottawatomie and parts of Shawnee counties are just bringing their combines onto their fields.

"We're just getting started," said Lucy Heinen, vice president of grains for Ag Partners Coop. "Around 10 to 20% of the wheat is harvested in our area."

Of the wheat harvested, Heinen said, it is about average. But, she said, the amount of wheat planted and harvested in Brown, Marshall, Nemaha, Pottawatomie and parts of Shawnee counties continues to decrease.

"The acres (of wheat) go down every year," she said. "Corn is king here."

Southwestern Kansas falls between southcentral and northeastern Kansas, with about 70% of harvest complete in Meade County.

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