Just as the 2008 Kansas wheat harvest was getting started in the South Central portion of the state, rain and severe weather brought it to a standstill. Widespread storms across the Central and Eastern portions of the state were unfortunately accompanied by hail and strong winds in many locations. Late last week, many wheat fields were laying flat from the wind, while many had standing water. In portions of South central Kansas, rainfall the past 14 days has been up to 200 percent of normal.

It now appears harvest will not be in full swing in the state until the week of June 15 if the weather cooperates. Portions of western Kansas that have missed out on the showers report that harvest may begin by the June 12 or June 13. It is almost certain that harvest will linger long past July 4.

Reports of high test weights and high yields continue to come in from the hard winter wheat harvest in Oklahoma and Texas. Weather is also delaying the 2008 wheat harvest in Oklahoma as storms with straight-line winds slowed harvest not only on Friday, but the after effects continued into Saturday. A continued lack of rail cars (or the lack of movement of the few that have been placed) is causing wheat to now be stored on the ground. Wheat is now on the ground in the Altus and Frederick areas.

As wheat producers look to harvest their 2008 crop, they are facing costs like they’ve not seen before. A recent Ag Statistics report shows a 1.6 percent increase in production prices from April of this year and a whopping 19 percent jump from costs incurred this time last year. The high price of oil is a large component of these costs as items such as fertilizer, chemical, diesel and even tires are produced from this raw material that are affecting consumers throughout the U.S.

According to the USDA, the fertilizer component of production prices increased 5.8 percent from April of this year and 69 percent from last May. Prices for agricultural chemicals rose three percent from April and 6.9 percent from last May; and the price for fuels used in agricultural production rose 6.2 percent from April and 49 percent from last May. Farmers can testify that the increase in farm diesel prices have doubled since last year.

These current high fuel prices are having an impact on almost everything related to agriculture including the prices charged by custom wheat harvesters. Rates for custom-cutting this year are reportedly running higher at around $20-25 per acre, as compared to $17 per acre last year. Producers are encouraged to discuss and confirm custom cutting rates in writing prior to harvest.

For farmers searching for custom-cutters, the Kansas Wheat Harvest Program is available for your use. The program includes a toll-free number—877-251-4328—where farmers and custom cutters can be matched. The number will be staffed from 6 to 9 a.m. and 6 to 9 p.m., seven days a week, and will have 24-hour voicemail service. In addition, the Kansas Department of Commerce staff can be reached at WheatHarvest@KansasCommerce.com. Kansas Wheat will also be providing daily harvest reports that track the progress of the harvest. These audio and written reports are available from www.kansaswheat.org.

Additional custom harvester information is available through U.S. Custom Harvesters Incorporated at www.uschi.com The organization serves as a link between the harvesters and the many groups of people they work with, such as farmers, businesses and government.